If you're not here, you are missing some very good sessions. One session titled, What Happens After 'Here Comes Everybody,' was presented by a panel that included the author of Web 2.0 Tools and Strategies for Archives and Local History Collections, Kate Theimer. The focus was on "participatory archives" and included examples of the ways in which non-archivists are contributing content and metadata to archival projects. The abstract reads:
Many archivists believe the key to the success of our profession in the future lies in effectively harnessing the participatory culture of the Web. But what does it really mean to be a “participatory archives”? The speakers provide a definition and examples of participatory archives, discuss the latest research on the impact of user participation on authenticity, reliability and credibility, and share research about user collaboration efforts at the National Archives (UK).
A sell out session (seriously several hundred people and I felt lucky to find a spot on the floor) was Practical Approaches to Born-Digital Records: What Works Today (part 1 of 2). Part 2 is tomorrow and I'm afraid I'll miss it...unless the storm causes a delay in my travel plans. The abstract for part 1 can speak for itself:
The panelists present and discuss effective ways to manage born-digital records today. The chair and five practicing archivists lead a discussion of specific projects that marry traditional archival processes to digital curation tools, covering such areas as beginning a program, surveying records, accessioning, processing, and providing access. The speakers provide examples of how professional practice has come “360”: new tools inform traditional theory and vice versa in practical approaches to born-digital records.Plan now for next year's conference. The program theme, thinking "Beyond Borders," is designed to help us envision new opportunities beyond our institutions and specializations, to expand our perceptions of history, culture, memory, and recordkeeping to arrive at a more inclusive and holistic view of the great work of archives. If you are interested in submitting a proposal for that conference, see the call for papers.
It's sounds like you had a great time and learned a lot too! There are so many nuances to managing records in our era that we all have to learn together and share.
ReplyDeleteYes, the professions really are converging at least around the issues involved in creating, managing, and preserving digital records. It is an exciting time!
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