Author Archives: Houston Archivist

AHA! Announces Its Spring Meeting

The next meeting of the Archivists of the Houston Area will be held on Thursday, March 14 at 6 pm at the new home of the Harris County Archives!

Mr. Larry Mousseau, Planning & Operations Supervisor for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, will talk about his department’s activities and what archivists need to know regarding access to their repositories following a disaster. Other items on the agenda include an introduction of a disaster preparation contest and a discussion of a proposed outreach/internship program as well as officer and committee reports. Light refreshments will be provided. Please plan to attend.

The Harris County Archives is located at 11525 Todd Street, Suite 300/Houston, TX  77055. Please RSVP by March 8th to Lee Pecht.

We hope to see you all there!

Houston Public Library Special Collections Hiring

The Special Collections Division of the Houston Public Library has the following openings:

 

Archivist III (Assistant Manager and Lead Archivist) http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=599113

Gregory School and the Houston Public Library are seeking a customer service oriented Archivist III to:

  • Lead and direct the Gregory School team in researching, acquiring, cataloging, digitizing, and preserving archival materials, negotiate with prospective donors, and coordinate the processing of collections and production of finding aids by staff and volunteers
  • Coordinate Gregory School’s programming efforts by curating exhibits, conducting departmental tours, assisting with programs and outreach efforts, and representing the library and the Gregory School at public events
  • Provide specialized reference services and research assistance to the general public in-person and electronically while assisting the manager with modeling, monitoring and maintaining the high standard of excellence in public service
  • Participate with the manager as a lead person in unit strategic planning to meet changing services and customer needs including the supervision of all archival staff

Librarian III (Assistant Manager and Collection Development) http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=599597

Clayton Library and the Houston Public Library are seeking a customer service oriented Librarian III to:

  • Lead and direct Clayton’s efforts in researching, acquiring, digitizing, and preserving the units’ superior genealogical research collection, including, with the manager, setting goals and procedures for collection development and conducting assessments of the collection
  • Provide research and reference assistance to in-person and remote customers, using print, digital, and other special collection sources for family history research while assisting the manager with modeling, monitoring and maintaining the high standard of excellence in public service
  • Coordinate the development and planning of educational and outreach services provided by Clayton Library including regularly preparing and presenting educational programs on genealogical, historical and technical topics
  • Participate with the manager as a lead person in unit strategic planning to meet changing services and customer needs including managing a team of collection development staff.

 

Senior Library Service Specialist http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=599365

Clayton Library and the Houston Public Library are seeking a customer service oriented Senior Library Service Specialist to:

  • Provide research and reference assistance to in-person and remote customers, using print, digital, and other special collection sources for family history research
  • Develop and plan the educational and outreach services provided by Clayton Library through the development and presentation of programs on genealogical, historical and technical topics, publicity, and bibliographic and web content development

 

Houston Metropolitan Research Center

Archivist I http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=599307

HMRC and the Houston Public Library are seeking a customer service oriented Archivist I to:

  • Lead and direct HMRC’s efforts in researching, acquiring, cataloging, digitizing, and preserving archival materials related to Mexican-American and Latino cultures in Houston. HMRC currently has over 96 archival collections and over 100 oral histories documenting Mexican-American and Latino cultures in Houston.
  • Coordinate HMRC’s community outreach by serving as a community liaison, attending community meetings, and representing the library and HMRC at public events specifically related to Latino art, history, and culture.
  • Provide specialized reference services and research assistance to the general public in-person and electronically.
  • Participate with the manager in unit strategic planning to meet changing services and customer needs including the supervision of support staff, interns, and volunteers assisting with the Latino-related collections at HMRC.

 

Archivist III (Assistant Manager and Lead Archivist) http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=599258

HMRC and the Houston Public Library are seeking a customer service oriented Archivist III to:

  • Lead and direct the HMRC team in researching, acquiring, cataloging, digitizing, and preserving archival materials, negotiate with prospective donors, and coordinate the processing of collections and production of finding aids by staff and volunteers
  • Coordinate HMRC’s programming efforts by curating exhibits, conducting departmental tours, assisting with programs and outreach efforts, and representing the library and HMRC at public events
  • Provide specialized reference services and research assistance to the general public in-person and electronically while assisting the manager with modeling, monitoring and maintaining the high standard of excellence in public service
  • Participate with the manager as a lead person in unit strategic planning to meet changing services and customer needs including the supervision of all archival staff

 

Librarian II (Collection Development) http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=599184

HMRC and the Houston Public Library are seeking a customer service oriented Librarian II to:

  • Lead and direct the efforts in researching, acquiring, cataloging, digitizing, and preserving HMRC’s Texas and Local History Special Collection, Norma Meldrum Juvenile Special Collections, and the Warren Culbertson Adult Special Collections in addition to archival materials such as oral histories and manuscripts.
  • Coordinate HMRC’s programming efforts by curating exhibits, conducting departmental tours, assisting with programs and outreach efforts, and representing the library and HMRC at public events.
  • Provide specialized reference services and research assistance to the general public in-person and electronically.
  • Participate with the manager in unit strategic planning to meet changing services and customer needs including the supervision of support staff, interns, and volunteers assisting with the Special Collections at HMRC.

Association of Centers for the Study of Congress Award Nominations

The Association of Centers for the Study of Congress (ACSC) sponsors three awards each year. For more information about the following awards, or to download their applications, please visit the ACSC awards website.

The Richard A. Baker Graduate Student Travel Grant is awarded annually to support graduate-level research conducted at member repositories of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress (ACSC). An award of up to $1000 may be used to underwrite travel, lodging, copying and other research expenses incurred from July 1- June 1 of the award year. Each application will be evaluated on its merits. Primary consideration will be given to projects involving the substantive study of issues related to the study of Congress. Each proposal should be aimed at a discrete end product such as a book, dissertation, thesis, article, documentary, film, exhibit, Web site or social networking site. Budgets may be approved in whole or in part. Each award recipient is required to acknowledge the award in any resulting published work(s) and donate a copy of the work(s) to ACSC and the sponsoring archival repository. The recipient may also be requested to submit a brief article summarizing their findings and research experience for publication by ACSC. The Baker Award honors ACSC founding member and U. S. Senate Historian Emeritus Richard A. Baker. Applications for the Baker Award will be accepted until March 11, 2013, and award notifications are generally made by early April.

The Raymond W. Smock Fellowship is awarded annually in the amount of $1000 to support an individual working in a congressional center to attend the ACSC Annual Meeting in May. The award is open to individuals that have not previously attended an ACSC annual meeting and whose organization is a member of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress (ACSC). The Smock Fellowship honors ACSC founding member and first president, Raymond W. Smock, director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies, Shepherd University. Applications for the Smock Fellowship will be accepted until March 11, 2013, and award notifications are generally made by early April.

The CPR Pre-Conference Scholarship is an annual award of $500 to provide financial assistance to an individual or individuals, attending the annual CPR pre-conference meeting at the Society of American Archivists Annual Meeting. The award was created by the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress in 2011 to acknowledge the Congressional Papers Roundtable‘s role in promoting the preservation and use of congressional collections. Applications for the CPR Pre-Conference Scholarship will be accepted until May 1, 2013, and award notification will be made by early June.

Position Available: 2013 Summer Archives Assistant, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is seeking a Summer Archives Assistant to aid in the daily operation of the museum’s archives. Half of the assistant’s hours will be devoted to the processing of MFAH exhibition records.   Work will be conducted in accordance with standard conventions. In conjunction with the processing of these records, the assistant will assist with the creation of an EAD finding aid and MARC catalog record.  Remaining responsibilities will include providing reference services and assisting with other duties necessary to the operation of the Archives Department. The Summer Archives Assistant is invited to attend behind-the-scene tours and lectures hosted by the Education Department.

Requirements:  Current enrollment in accredited Masters in Library Science or Archives Studies program. Completion of basic archives course at graduate level or prior work experience in archival or special collection setting. Knowledge of MARC, DACS, LCSH and AACR2 strongly preferred. Experience using OCLC beneficial. Art history background preferred. Word processing and database skills. Ability to lift twenty-five pound boxes and climb ladders.

Application:  Please submit a letter of application, current resume, an official college transcript, a sample of writing or work, and a letter of reference to:

Lorraine A. Stuart
Archives
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
P.O. Box 6826
Houston, TX  77265-6826

Work schedule:  Ten-week position, May 28 through August 6, 2013. (Some flexibility in starting and ending dates.) Hours are 9am – 5pm, M-F.

Salary:  Total salary for ten weeks is $3500.

Deadline for application: April 8, 2013

Interviews with final candidates residing out-of-state will be conducted by phone.

For additional information write to lstuart@mfah.org

International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries & Museums Preliminary Program Now Available

The preliminary program for the 2013 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums is now available at www.atalm.org.  The program features 12 pre-conference workshops and tours, four evening events, over 80 concurrent sessions, 18 hands-on labs, and keynote presentations by notable people.

LaDonna Harris, founder and president of Americans for Indian Opportunity is the honorary chair and will provide the opening keynote.

Dates:  Scheduled from June 10 through June 13, the conference takes place at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. Pre-conference workshops take place on Monday, June 10 and conference sessions are from Tuesday, June 11 through Thursday, June 13.

Registration:  Before May 1, 2013, registration is $250.  After May 1, registration increases to $300.  Registration includes a welcome reception, two breakfasts, and three luncheons.  Registration information is available at www.atalm.org

Hotel:  The conferencehotel is the Santa Ana-owned Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa situated halfway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.  Subject to availability, the discounted rate for conference attendees is $119 a night for a king or two queen beds from June 7-14, 2013. Booking information is available at www.atalm.org. Deadline for booking rooms at the Conference Rate is May 20, 2013

Scholarships:  March 1 is the deadline for applying for scholarships.  To view the criteria and apply, please visit http://www.atalm.org/node/91

Airport: The closest airport is the Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ), located less than 30 miles from the resort. Discounted shuttle service is available. Please refer to the Hotel and Travel information on ATALM’s website.

Facebook:  We frequently post updates to the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums Facebook page.  If you have not done so already, please consider “liking” us!  You may also use the page to promote your own activities, as long as they are non-commercial and non-personal.

Questions?  Phone 405-522-3515 or email atalminfo@gmail.com

Call for Applications – Pinkett Minority Student Award

The application period for the 2013 Harold T. Pinkett Minority Student Award is now open!

The Pinkett Award was established in 1993 and recognizes and acknowledges minority graduate students,
such as those of African, Asian, Latino or Native American descent, who, through scholastic and personal
achievement, manifest an interest in becoming professional archivists and active members of the Society of
American Archivists. The recipients of the award will receive full complimentary registration to the SAA
Annual Meeting and related expenses for hotel and travel for attending the SAA Annual Meeting in New
Orleans, Louisiana in August 2013. In addition, each recipient receives a complimentary one-year
membership in SAA.

Eligibility
The Pinkett Award is awarded to minority students, with preference given to full-time students possessing a
minimum scholastic grade point average of 3.5 while enrolled in a graduate program focusing on archival
management during the academic year proceeding the date on which the award is given.

Details and Application
http://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-pinkett

Deadline
February 28, 2013

Philip M. Hamer and Elizabeth Hamer Kegan Award Nominations

The Philip M. Hamer and Elizabeth Hamer Kegan Award Subcommittee of the Society of American Archivists seeks nominations for the 2013 award.

This award recognizes an archivist, editor, group of individuals, or institution that has increased public awareness of a specific body of documents through compilation, transcription, exhibition, or public presentation of archives or manuscript materials for educational, instructional, or other public purpose. Archives may include photographs, films, and visual archives. Publication may be in hard copy, microfilm, digital, or other circulating medium.

Recent winners include:

  • 2012: Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota
  • 2011: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries March On Milwaukee Civil Rights History Project Team
  • 2010: The Giza Archives Project at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
  • 2009: Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections of the University of Toledo’s “From Institution to Independence”
  • 2008: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the CBC Digital Archives (Les Archives de Radio-Canada)

 

Eligibility:
Individual archivists and editors, groups of individuals, organizations.

Application Deadline:
All nominations shall be submitted to the Awards Committee by February 28, 2013.

For more information on SAA awards and the nominations process, please go to http://www.archivists.org/recognition/index.asp .

SAA Seeking Nominations for Spotlight Award

The Society of American Archivists Spotlight Award Subcommittee invites nominations for the 2013 Spotlight Award.  This award “recognizes the contributions of individuals who work for the good of the archives profession and of archival collections, and whose work would not typically receive public recognition.”  Nominees do not have to be members of SAA.  Please share this message as you think appropriate.  I hope you will consider recognizing a colleague (or yourself!) in this way.  Additional information about the criteria and process is found below.

Spotlight Award

Purpose and Criteria for Selection: Established in 2005, this award recognizes the contributions of individuals who work for the good of the archives profession and of archival collections, and whose work would not typically receive public recognition. The nominee(s) should have achieved distinction in one or more of the following ways:

*   Participating in special projects.
*   Exhibiting tireless committee or advocacy work.
*   Responding effectively to an unforeseen or pressing need or emergency.
*   Contributing innovative or creative ideas to the profession.
*   Performing extraordinary volunteerism.
*   Quietly but effectively promoting the profession.

Eligibility:  Awarded to an individual archivist or a group of up to five archivists who have collaborated on a project. Preference is given to archivists working in smaller repositories, especially those without institutional support for professional activities.

Nomination Requirements:  A completed nomination form, downloadable at http://www2.archivists.org/sites/all/files/Spotlight-Award-Form.rtf.

Sponsor and Funding:  The Society of American Archivists Foundation.

Prize:  A certificate and complimentary registration (for up to five individuals) to the SAA Annual Meeting occurring in the year in which the award is presented.

Submission Deadline and Nomination Form:  Deadline: February 28, 2013.  Please complete the nomination form (http://www2.archivists.org/sites/all/files/Spotlight-Award-Form.rtf) and email it along with any applicable supporting documentation toawards@archivists.org with the subject line “Spotlight Award.”   Attachments should not exceed 5MB.

Alternately, nominations may be mailed.  Materials must be postmarked by February 28, 2013, and should be sent to:

Spotlight Award Committee
Society of American Archivists
17 North State Street, Suite 1425
Chicago, IL 60602-4061

Please contact Tara Laver, Chair, Spotlight Award Subcommittee with any questions:
tzachar@lsu.edu or 225-578-6546

Please visit http://www2.archivists.org/recognition for a list and explanation of all of the awards offered by SAA.  The above information and a list of past recipients is available  at http://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-spotlight.

Call for Nominations – Sister M. Claude Lane, O.P. Memorial Award

The Society of American Archivists’ Awards Committee is currently accepting nominations for the Sister M. Claude Lane, O.P., Memorial Award. This award was created in 1974 and recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of religious archives. Criteria for nomination include:

  • Involvement and work in the Archivists of Religious Collections Section of the Society of American Archivists.
  • Contributions to archival literature that relates to religious archives.
  • Participation and leadership in religious archives organizations.
  • Evidence of leadership in specific religious archives.

Only individual archivists are eligible for nomination. The award is funded by the Society of American Archivists, in conjunction with the Society of Southwest Archivists, in honor of Sister M. Claude Lane, the first professionally trained archivist at the Catholic Archives of Texas in Austin, who served there from 1960 until her death in 1974. A certificate awarded by SAA and a cash prize provided by the Society of Southwest Archivists is presented to the winner at the annual Society of American Archivists meeting.

For more information on the Lane Award, and to download the nomination form, please see:

http://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-lane

All nominations shall be submitted to the Awards Committee by February 28, 2013.  Electronic submission of nominations is accepted; please see the nomination form for more information.