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SGA Members Testify Before Congress

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On June 9, 2010, SGA members Kaye Minchew and Karen Jefferson testified before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives at a hearing entitled “Strengthening the National Historical Publications and Records Commission“. A webcast of the hearing is available on the website of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

SGA Fellow Kaye Minchew is the Executive Director of the Troup County Historical Society and Archives. Karen Jefferson is Records Manager at the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center. Ms. Minchew appeared as a representative of the National Association of Government Archivists & Records Administrators, on whose Board she has served for many years. Ms. Jefferson appeared as an experienced archivist and records manager to specifically discuss the work of State Historical Records Advisory Boards, in particular, the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board (GHRAB). The prepared testimony of both Ms. Minchew and Ms. Jefferson is available online.

Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on this accomplishment. Both Ms. Minchew and Ms. Jefferson are long term members on SGA with recognition on a national level and a demonstrated dedication to the advocacy of archival enterprise.

Georgia Archives Month: How Will You Celebrate?

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In October, Georgia will celebrate its 11th archives celebration — Georgia Archives Month. This year’s theme is “Travel Back in Time.”  There’s plenty of time to plan special events such as exhibits, tours, lectures, workshops, collection viewings, etc.  For information and ideas, visit our web site at http://soga.org/archivesmonth.  It includes lists of events held in past years as well as an event guide to assist with planning.
The purpose of Archives Month is to celebrate the value of Georgia’s historical records, publicize the many ways historical records enrich our lives, and recognize those who maintain our communities’ historical records. This is the ideal time to call attention to your organization or local government, and its work in preserving Georgia’s documentary heritage.
We encourage you to think of ways in which your organization or local government can celebrate Archives Month in your community.  If you are planning an event, please email blerette@archatl.com and we will add your event to the upcoming 2010 Archives Month web site.
If you have any questions, please view our web site at http://soga.org/archivesmonth or contact Bridget Lerette, blerette@archatl.com, 404-978-2772; or Elaine DeNiro, edeniro@roswellgov.com, 770-594-6405). Thank you. 

PAHR Introduced to the Senate

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Posted on behalf of the Joint Task Force on PAHR:
S. 3227, “A bill to authorize the Archivist of the United States to make grants to States for the preservation and dissemination of historical records,” was introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch and Carl Levin (with six original co-sponsors) on April 19 and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. 
This bill is identical to that introduced in the House by Congressman Maurice Hinchey–H.R. 2256.  We have an incredible opportunity to get action in both the House and the Senate THIS SPRING AND SUMMER.  We need to act now before the attention of Congress is diverted by the November elections.  So it is critical that you work with your constituents to tell your senators now why PAHR is important to you, your organization, and your researchers.  See the attached Action Alert for more details, and please distribute it or some version thereof as widely as you can.  
We have the potential by the end of this summer to have this legislation enacted in the House and the Senate.  But just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes the entire archival, history, library and genealogical community to pass PAHR. We need your help now and through the next two or three months to make this a reality.  Please do your part to bring this to a vote in Congress–every letter, every phone call, every visit matters.  
Many, many thanks for all the work that has gone into PAHR so far, and for all you can do in the next months. We can make this change happen–and we look forward to celebrating the passage of PAHR this year!
Please contact us if you have questions or ideas, or need any help with your efforts. 
Council of State Archivists: Kathleen Roe, David Carmicheal, Karl Niederer, Vicki Walch
Society of American Archivists: Brenda Lawson, Steven Hensen,  Ben Primer, Nancy Beaumont
National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators: Tracey Berezansky, Jelain Chubb

Learn more about PAHR and how to contact the Task Force at http://www.archivists.org/pahr/

Last Week for SGA Fellow Nominations!

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Fellows nominations are due by this Friday, April 30th!

Any SGA member in good standing is welcome to nominate someone who deserves to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to our society and our profession.

For your convenience, the revised procedures and nomination form are linked from the home page of the SGA website.

Please send your completed nomination forms to Christine de Catanzaro by the end of business on Friday.

Make sure that SGA hears from you!

Nominate a SGA Fellow Today!

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Don’t forget that nominations are now open for SGA Fellows for 2010. SGA members and current Fellows are welcome to nominate someone who deserves to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to our society and our profession. The procedures and nomination form are available on the SGA website.

Nominations are due to Christine de Catanzaro, Chair of the Nominating Committee (decatanzaro@gatech.edu) by the end of this month. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize someone who has contributed significantly to SGA and the archival profession!

SGA Web Site: Pardon Our Progress

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Over the course of the year, the SGA Web Site Redesign & Redevelopment Ad Hoc Committee will be making changes to the Web site based on membership feedback and committee assessment. While most of the changes will be gradual, please pardon any “hiccups” along the way. Your patience is appreciated.

Please contact the Web Manager at webmaster@soga.org with any questions or additional suggestions.

Earn Your MLIS in Georgia

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The University of North Texas Department of Library and Information Sciences is beginning a new cohort in September 2010 in Georgia.  Through this outstanding program, students can earn a master’s degree by participating in two four-day institutes to be held in Atlanta, GA – August 13 – 16, 2010 and January 7-9, 2011 at the Robert W. Woodruff Library at the Atlanta University Center.  YES!!! UNT will bring its ALA accredited Master’s program and popular online format back to Georgia beginning Fall 2010.  
You can earn your Master’s by participating in two four-day Web Institutes and complete the rest of your degree online!  The Web Institute portion of the Master’s program includes an orientation, technology training, and instruction in the Master’s program core courses, as well as time to socialize with your Institute classmates and faculty.  Students will enroll in the University of North Texas, Department of Library and Information Sciences blended learning program, a 36 credit-hour program combining: distance learning (on-line) courses delivered via the Web (at least two courses per semester for six academic semesters) in addition to the two intensive in-person four-day Web Institutes. 

Information Sessions
Come find out more about the UNT/LIS graduate program at information sessions to be held in your area.  There will be information sessions on the following days in North Atlanta, Athens, August, Columbus, and Macon from April 13 – 17:
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
12:00pm – 2:00pm
University of Georgia Libraries Administrative Offices Conference/Meeting Room 320 S. Jackson Street
Athens, GA
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Athens Regional Library System
Bogart Library – Small Conference Room 200 South Burson Avenue
Bogart, GA 30622
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
11:30am – 1:30 pm
Chattahoochee Valley Library System
North Columbus Branch Library
Small Conference Room 5689 Armour Road
Columbus , Georgia 31909
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
4pm – 6pm
Middle Georgia Regional -Washington Memorial Library
Board/Meeting Room
1180 Washington Avenue
Macon, Georgia  31201
Thursday, April 15, 2010
10:00am – 1:00 pm
Paine College
Collins Callaway Library –Room 106
1235 Fifteenth Street
Augusta, GA 30901
Thursday, April 15, 2010
2:30pm
Augusta State University
Jaguar Student Center in the  Coffeehouse
2500 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30904
Thursday, April 15, 2010
4:30 – 6:30 pm
Wallace Branch Library 1237 Laney Walker Blvd.
Augusta, GA 30901
Friday, April 16, 2010
10:00am – Noon
Atlanta Fulton Public Library – Ocee Branch Library
5090 Abbotts Bridge Rd.
Johns Creek GA 30005-4601
Friday, April 16, 2010
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Hall County Library System
Sprout Springs Branch
Meeting Room B
6488 Spout Springs Rd.
Flowery Branch, Ga. 30542
Information About Applying to the UNT/LIS Master’s Degree Program
For directions and more information about the University of North Texas Graduate School and Department of Library and Information Sciences application process go to the webpage – http://www.lis.unt.edu.  Information about the master’s program and application process to UNT are located on the LIS webpage. You will find information about the program, information sessions, the application, and information about how to apply for admission to the University and to the master’s program. Be sure to review the Master’s Admission Checklist page on the UNT/SLIS homepage at http://www.ci.unt.edu/main/ViewPage.php?cid=195.   The Master’s Admission Checklist will give you step by step instructions on the application process for the Univ. of North Texas. 

The Checklist is where you begin the application process.  You should review the application instructions and start collecting supporting materials to submit with your application.
A.     The UNT – Toulouse School of Graduate Studies is the first school that you must submit an application and be admitted in order to qualify for evaluation for the IMLS scholarship. 
• The directions for applying to the Graduate School are located at: http://www.tsgs.unt.edu/admission_to_graduate_studies.htm
• The online application to Graduate School is at:  https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX?s_logon_msg=Y 
• Complete official transcripts from all colleges and universities you attended must be submitted to:
Toulouse School of Graduate Studies
University of North Texas
P.O. Box 305459
Denton, TX 76203-5459
• Official score reports from either the Graduate Record Examination – http://www.ets.org/gre/ (The UNT school code for the GRE is 6481) or the Miller’s Analogies Test – http://www.milleranalogies.com/ must be submitted to the Graduate School.
Information about GRE and MAT testing centers as well as practice materials is available at:
GRE: http://www.takethegre.com/  (Test sites are available in South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana)
MAT: http://psychcorp.pearsonassessments.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/MAT/mathome.htm  (Testing sites are available in South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho)
If a test date for one of the entrance exams is not available in your area, you can be admitted as a “non-degree seeking student and submit your test score before the completion of your first semester of courses. 
B.     The UNT – Department of Library and Information Sciences application is at: http://www.ci.unt.edu/main/PDF/FormFillin-LISApplication.pdf.  The application to SLIS cannot be completed online – you must fill it out online, print it out, and send it.
·       You must submit three recommendation forms.  Letters should be from former professors or others who can evaluate your academic qualifications and from job supervisors who can assess your potential for success as an information professional.  The forms are located at http://www.ci.unt.edu/main/PDF/FormFillin-LetterOfRecommendation.pdf 
C.     You will need to submit a one-to-two-page essay stating your purpose and goals in applying to our program.  In your statement, include the nature of your interest, how you became interested in the field, your short- and long-term goals, the strengths that you would bring to the information profession, and how the UNT program will help meet your career and educational objectives.
For more information about the master’s degree program, information feel free to contact either:

Dr. Yvonne Chandler – via email at yvonne.chandler@unt.edu or by phone at 940-565-3777   Charlotte Thomas – via email at charlotte.thomas@unt.edu or by phone at 940-369-7275. 

Get rid of those ugly backlogs with help from SGA and SAA

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Registration for the Spring workshop closes in 9 short days. There are some spots left but they are going quickly, so claim yours before it’s too late.

SAA – Implementing More Product, Less Process
May 17, 2010, 9AM – 5PM
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia

Backlogs don’t have to weigh as heavily as they do! Focus on implementing concrete strategies for increasing processing rates and reducing backlogs, as outlined in the Greene-Meissner article, “More Product, Less Process: Revamping Traditional Archival Processing,” and learn as you share information and experiences with fellow workshop participants. Topics include appraisal, arrangement, description, digitization, and preservation, as well as development of processing plans, policies, and benchmarks. This array of topics is addressed through lecture, case studies, and group discussion.