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Session 207 - "Getting Started with Political Advocacy: The Five "W"s and Activist Archivists," session chair: Courtney E. Chartier; panelists: Frank Boles, Rachel Chatalbash, Sarah Quigley, Frederick J. Stielow
This panel focuses on archivists assuming the role of activist, using the framework of the Five "W"s, an information-gathering approach that seeks to flesh out the essential details in a clear and concise manner. In the case of archival advocacy, the panelists' spin on the Five "W"s aims to make the case for political engagement becoming a core function of archival work and a natural extension of what we do on an institutional level.
Session 405 - "Shout It from the Mountaintop: Changing Perceptions About Archival Advocacy," session chair: Laura K. Starratt; panelists: Jasmine Jones, Erin R. Lawrimore
Advocacy is becoming an important part of our profession. With a poor economy, slashed budgets, and a lack of public knowledge about archives, many from outside the profession believe that budgets can be slashed from our departments and organizations. Can it be avoided? Is our apprehension of advocacy something we can overcome, and can advocacy be something we incorporate into our profession?
Session 309 - Rules of Engagement: The Politics and Pleasures of 'Living Archives,'" session chair: Georgette Mayo; panelists: Aaisha Haykal, Aisha M. Johnson, Alyss Zohar, and Brenda Tindal
Panelists explore the nuances of working with living archives (broadly defined) and the politics and pleasures of such endeavors. They also discuss and contextualize themes like familial and institutional custodianship; the utility of collaborative relationships among donors, archival practitioners, and the public in appraising and processing collections; and the politics of arranging and describing records of active organizations, communities, and living individuals.
Session 105: "Pay It Forward: Interns, Volunteers, and the Development of New Archivists and the Archives Profession," session chair Erin R. Lawrimore, panelists Linda Sellers, Taffey Hall, Laura K. Starratt and Lance Stuchell.
To ensure the future of the profession, we must foster the development of new archivists and work to promote the knowledge of archives and archival practice in society. But as practicing archivists, we must find ways to educate while also supporting our current institution. The speakers look holistically at the need for beneficial internship and mentorship experiences, focusing on how these opportunities affect new professionals, established professionals, supervisors , and the archives profession at large.
"Documenatation of the 'Different': Archival Records Concerning 'Scandalous Individuals," submitted by session chair James F. Cartwright (not accepted)
"Silence No More: Archives Threatened by Political Instability in Central America", submitted by Marisol Ramos, session chair Corine Wegener (not accepted)
"Collaborative Digitization in an International Context", submitted by Noah Lenstra, session chair Marisol Ramos (not accepted)
Session 106: "Appraising the Archives Profession: Multiple Outlooks on Professional Sustainability Issues," submitted by Dana Miller; session chair Dana Miller, panelists Elizabeth Slomba, Michelle Bogart, Dayna Holz.
Despite archivists’ commitment to and love of their work, issues of low salaries, temporary jobs, and few opportunities for advancement are major hurdles as the profession struggles to attract a diverse workforce and retain experienced practitioners. Using job market research, data analysis, and career statistics, the panelists address the profession’s “elephant-in-the-room” issues. What do a grad student, a newbie processor, a manager, and an expat have to say about the state of the archives profession today, and where do you fall on the spectrum? Join in!
Session 210: "Money, Money, Money: Lessons from Successful Advocates for Archives Funding," submitted by Kate Theimer; session chair John Slate, panelists Kathleen Roe, Karl Niederer, Ronald Fox.
Archives must often battle with funders to increase, or even sustain, their current level of resources. Effective advocacy, resulting in dedicated government or institutional funding, contributes greatly to the sustainability of individual archives and the archives profession. Each speaker has proposed new legislation or funding initiatives for archives and records programs at the federal, state, or local level. Their lessons “from the trenches” will help attendees start or support lobbying for their own archives.
