My name is Sammy Peter and I am a librarian at the University of Wyoming. I am working with Sara White, an archivist and disability activist on the project “Understanding the Needs of Users with Disabilities in Archives.”  We are writing to ask that you share this study with anyone whom you know might be interested in or if you qualify to consider participating in our study. We are specifically looking for users of archives with any kind of disability to take this survey.
 
The object of the authors’ current project is to conduct a survey of archival users (researchers who have conducted research at archives or online) with disabilities to better understand the accessibility needs when using archival resources and facilities.

For the purpose of this study, we consider disability to be a broad aspect of a person’s identity. We define disability as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of  “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities." This includes people with and/or/all of the following: invisible, visible, and temporary disabilities, or chronic conditions. 

If you decide to participate in this study, you will complete an online survey about your work experiences. We anticipate that this will take no longer than 15 minutes of your time. 

This is completely voluntary. You can choose to be in the study or not, and you can stop taking the survey at any time. If you have any questions about the study, please contact me at scook13@uwyo.edu and Sara at sara.white1229@gmail.com. 

Follow this link to access the survey: https://forms.gle/ffPacjqZkUeSWCvE9

The New-York Historical Society, with support from the Henry Luce Foundation, invites applications from advanced graduate students and scholars (affiliated and independent) who earned their Ph.D after 2016 to conduct directed research projects connected to the role of religion and spirituality in the history of 19^th century U.S. westward expansion. This research will provide support for the exhibit Acts of Faith: Religion in the American West to open at the New-York Historical Society in New York City in Fall 2022.  Fellows, who will receive stipends of $3000, will share their work at a convening in 2022, and have the opportunity to become acquainted with the possibilities and protocols of working with a museum in the creation of publicly engaged scholarship. 

For more information about the fellowship and the requirements, and how to apply see https://apply.interfolio.com/76435

Deadline for submission of applications is August 15, 2020. 

Research in the Era of COVID-19: Archives, Libraries, and the Study of the West

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 

400-530 PM (EDT)

 

The current pandemic has transformed the life and work of colleges and universities around the world. Institutions of higher education shifted online; students, faculty, and staff departed campuses; libraries, archives, and special collections closed. Institutions also limited or prohibited faculty, staff, and student travel for conducting or presenting research.

 

Many of these closures, limitations, and prohibitions remain in place, and the future of research remains uncertain. Consequently, historians face a significant challenge: how to teach and conduct research with restricted movement, limited institutional support, and unpredictable access to libraries, archives, and special collections?

 

Archivists and librarians active in the Western History Association, with the encouragement of various faculty and graduate students, have undertaken to explore short, medium, and long-term solutions to these challenges, beginning with a free 90-minute webinar on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, to review select tools for facilitating online access to libraries, archives, and special collections critical to the study of the West. 

 

All interested students of the West are welcome. Registration is limited to 500 persons. Brief presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer period for the audience. The session will be recorded for future reference.

 

Subsequent webinars, based on expressed and perceived needs, will address discrete subjects of critical importance throughout the summer.

 

To register in advance for this webinar:

https://dartmouth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b9BLgvPERZiuCbOyKGWj4g

 

Or an H.323/SIP room system:

    H.323: 

    162.255.37.11 (US West)

    162.255.36.11 (US East)

    115.114.131.7 (India Mumbai)

    115.114.115.7 (India Hyderabad)

    213.19.144.110 (EMEA)

    103.122.166.55 (Australia)

    64.211.144.160 (Brazil)

    69.174.57.160 (Canada)

    207.226.132.110 (Japan)

    Meeting ID: 917 8731 0912

    SIP: 91787310912@zoomcrc.com

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

Questions? Contact J. Wendel Cox, Research & Learning Librarian, Dartmouth Library: j.wendel.cox@dartmouth.edu

Now taking applications for the Davidson Family Fellowship. Visit their website for more details on how to apply: www.cartermuseum.org/research/fellowships

“Connectivity Across Borders: Global Borderlands in Historical & Modern Perspective"

2nd Biennial Symposium of Texas A&M University-San Antonio's Global Borders &

Borderlands History Program

March 26-27, 2021

San Antonio, Texas

Call For Papers

Texas A&M University-San Antonio announces the second biennial symposium of its Global Borders and Borderlands History Program. The two-day symposium will consist of a Friday evening reception followed by a full day of panels on Saturday, with a lunchtime keynote address by historian Juliana Barr.

Rather than dividing people and cultures, borders and borderlands often have the power to unite those in their midst. Modes of connection include cultural and economic exchange, political and diplomatic cooperation, and patterns of migration. We welcome proposals dealing with the role of borders and borderlands in shaping global narratives of connectivity across time and place. To this interdisciplinary end, we seek submissions from scholars who share a common interest in borders and borderlands as a methodological approach and analytical framework.

The program committee requests both full panel and individual paper submissions. All submissions are due September 15, 2020 and should be emailed to: william.kiser@tamusa.edu. For individual paper submissions, submit a title and 300-word abstract, along with a 1-page C.V. For full panel submissions, submit a title and 300-word abstract, along with individual paper titles and abstracts, and a 1-page C.V. for each participant. Depending on the submissions received, there is a possibility for the publication of symposium papers in an edited volume with Texas A&M University Press.

The symposium will take place on the Texas A&M University-San Antonio campus, with the generous support of the Office of the Provost and the Department of Communication, History and Philosophy.

The J. Franklin Jameson Archival Advocacy Award Subcommittee of the Society of American Archivists invites you to place a nomination for the 2020 J. Franklin Jameson Archival Advocacy Award.

https://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-jameson

Established in 1989, this award honors an individual, institution, or organization that promotes greater public awareness, appreciation, or support of archival activities or programs.  The individual's or institution's contributions may take the form of advocacy, publicity, legislation, financial support, or a similar action that fosters archival work or raises public consciousness of the importance of archival work.  Contributions should have broad, long-term impact at the regional level or beyond.

Eligibility: Nominees must be from outside the archives profession.  Individuals directly involved in archival work, either as paid or volunteer staff, or institutions or organizations directly responsible for an archival program are not eligible for this award.

Nominations should be sent through the online submission system by February 28, 2020 at https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/45853-Society-Of-American-Archivists.

Recent Winners Include: 

2019:  Tempestt Hazel AND The Kitchen Sisters (Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva)

2018:  Yvonne Lewis Holley AND Brad Meltzer

2017:  Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI)

2016:  Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ron Chernow

2015:  Adrena Ifill Blagburn

2014:  LGBT Center of Central PA History Project AND National History Day

2013:  AARP Virginia and Dr. Warren Stewart

2012:  Eve Kahn, Bebe Miller, Phillip Stewart

2011: “Who Do You Think You Are?” (NBC)

2010:  The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation

The Montana Historical Society seeks an energetic and talented person to work as an Associate Editor. If you have a passion for Montana and Western History, this position may be for you! At the Montana Historical Society, we are striving to make our work environment a supportive and engaging place that fosters work/life balance.

The Associate Editor’s primary responsibilities include 1) copy editing magazine and book manuscripts according to the tenets of scholarly publishing and working with authors to achieve mutually satisfactory publications. This process includes reviewing and correcting manuscripts for spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and in-house style; fact checking; overall consistency and readability; and citation formatting 2) finding and procuring appropriate illustrations for use in magazine articles, books, and other print and digital publication and managing all aspects  of suitability for reproduction, including quality, file size, and permissions 3) helping to maintain organizational systems, including databases, fundraising, grant writing, marketing, and sales 4) conducting historical research, writing, and fact checking  in a variety of historical sources, including archives, databases, and published documents 5) management and editing of book reviews 6) participating in and developing the program’s digital publications and social media program.

At the Montana Historical Society, our goal is to promote an understanding and appreciation of Montana’s cultural heritage—past, present, and future. Come and be part of the Montana Historical Society!

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in history, journalism, or other related liberal arts field and two years of related experience in magazine or book publishing. Experience in manuscript editing, professional writing, and Western/Montana history strongly preferred.

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additional required documents include cover letter, resumé, and supplemental questions. Cover letter should address how your education, skills, and experiences have prepared you for this position. Job closes February 1, 2020.

To apply for this position please visit the State of Montana Careers website:

https://statecareers.mt.gov/

Have you written or do you know of a work of biography, autobiography, memoir or family history published in the past two years with a significant connection to the Interior West? Submissions for the prestigious biennial Evans Biography Awards ($10,000 cash prize) and the Evans Handcart Award ($2,500 cash prize) are currently being accepted. Books must have a first publishing date of 2018 or 2019 and fit into one of the award criteria for place and genre. Deadline for submission is February 15, 2020. The awards are administered by the Mountain West Center at Utah State University. More information, including award criteria, and submission forms can be found at http://mountainwest.usu.edu/evans/evans-awards_submission or email mwc@usu.edu.

The State of Utah is searching for a new Director of the Utah Division of State History. We are looking for someone who is well-respected in the professional community, has proven management skills, and who can craft a vision for the future while making the past relevant.

Our candidate will have strong communication skills (speaking, writing, and one-on-one).

This person will oversee a division of 29 employees with a $4.1 million budget. We’re looking for someone to provide leadership to the Utah State Historical Society, Library and Collections program, Utah History Day program, and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) programs. We’re looking for an individual who will contribute meaningfully to the creation of a new State History Museum.

Serving as the director of State History provides the opportunity to oversee and mentor a professional staff committed to preserving and sharing the story of Utah. A successful director will value historical research and advocate for its advancement.

State History is part of the Utah Department of Heritage & Arts (DHA). The programs managed and the services provided by DHA represent the heart and soul of Utah. By working with local arts agencies, historical societies, volunteer organizations, local governments, libraries, and museums, as well as with the state’s indigenous and minority groups, the professionals in our department improve communities and the lives of individuals throughout Utah.

DHA provides a fast-paced, collaborative, and energetic work environment that supports employees in balancing work and home life. We operate from an employee-first philosophy, with a commitment to maintain a safe and empowering work environment that promotes the value of each employee.

DHA’s executive leadership actively encourages flexible work schedules and teleworking, as well as participation in exercise and mass transit programs.

To apply send your cover letter and resume to Crystal Haywood at chaywood@utah.gov and apply at
bit.ly/DirectorOfHistory 

Special Collections of the University of Texas at Arlington Library is pleased to announce an opening for Metadata Librarian. 

Primary responsibilities include original and copy cataloging of Special Collections maps, books, ephemera, sheet music, and broadsides, etc.; creation and maintenance of MARC records for archival collections for upload to OCLC; and review of encoded finding aids for upload to Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO).  Successful candidate will also lead discussion and training for new cataloging and metadata policy, best practices and workflows. 

View the job announcement at https://uta.peopleadmin.com/postings/10441. 

Special Collections collects and provides access to historical research materials in all formats relating to Texas; the U.S. War with Mexico, 1846-1848; the cartographic history of Texas, the Gulf of Mexico and the Southwest; and the political history of Mexico, 1810-1920.  Our map collection is housed in the Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Library (VGCHL) which was established in 1978.  The VGCHL focuses on five centuries of exploration and mapping of the New World, with particular emphasis on the region of the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, and the Greater Southwest including Northern Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.  Our growing map collection contains thousands of maps and atlases dating from 1493 to the present and features works of noted cartographers including Waldseemüller, Ortelius, Hondius, Coronelli, DeLisle and more.  We are committed to exceptional research assistance, teaching, outreach and collaborative partnerships that engage our users in a learning environment that fosters creativity, exploration and innovation. 

Contact Brenda McClurkin, mcclurkin@uta.edu, 817.272.7512, with questions.