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SAA@OU Minutes: 10/3/11
Officers present: Gwendolyn Gillson, Jasmin Chavez, Sarah Denton
SAA@OUmembers present: Rebecca Barlow, Magen Bednar, Andrew Baer, Sean o’ Brien, Briann Zimmermann and Alexis Michelle Beaman. (Tulsa members not present).
Meeting commenced at 7:10.
Dr. White began the meeting by talking about the Archives track at OU. He discussed upcoming spring 2012 archives courses (Archival Appraisal and Archival Representation and Use, which fulfills Content Management requirement). He also mentioned that, in the near future, there will be a shift from the topics covered in the Preservation of Information Materials class (focused on paper preservation) to topics concerning the preservation of digital information.
Dr. White explained the archives field. He described the different careerroutes in the archives profession: cultural heritage archives (like a historical society), state/government archives, corporate archives, and academic/special collection libraries (private university collections). He explained the distinction between a “collection” and an “archive.” He explained how an archivist appraises and organizes materials in an archive. He talked about skills and issues involved in archiving (provenance of materials; importance of metadata).
Dr. White talked about SAA and its annual conference. He also discussed regional archival associations, in particular the Midwest Archives Association. He mentioned that he would like to participate in a graduate conference in the spring and cosponsor the event with other departments to show the diversity of Archives students.
Dr. White also contributed a website and a video link that explained more about the archives profession:
After Dr. White finished his talk, members introduced themselves.
Gillson explained that we’re an official OU organization; however, we will not get funds until next year. She explained that SAA@OU is still in the process of sending required materials to SAA for official approval of the OU chapter.
Gillson went over the present goals of the organization, which include: getting the word out about SAA@OU to enhance interest in the Archives track (which will hopefully help in getting the Archives class taught every year, instead of every 2 years); to network with practicing archivists; to broadly explore all archives environments, like special collections and special libraries.
Gillson shared that the organization wishes to have an archives/special collections visit every month during the school year and regular visiting speakers.
Gillson announced that the SAA@OU Facebook page is up and running and that Jennifer Donner is the unofficial Tulsa liaison. She encouraged all members to join the Facebook page, as it will be the primary resource used to advertise SAA@OU meetings and events. She also informed everyone that the listserv is active and that it will be used for discussions. Lastly, she stated that SAA@OU will have an OU website, where meeting minutes, photos, visit summaries, etc. will be posted. She encouraged all SAA@OU members to join SAA if they want to vote on SAA@OU issues, although SAA membership is totally optional. Gillson talked briefly about the SAA conference (which will be held in San Diego in August 2012) and urged members to think about getting a group together to go to the conference.
Gillson announced an upcoming event, an Oklahoma Historical Society Roundtable, which is still in the planning process. It will tentatively occur on October 18thin the student union at 7:00 p.m. SAA@OU, OLISSA and Oklahoma Historical Society aims to have the Central Oklahoma Archivist League (COAL) conduct a roundtable discussion event. OHS will provide snacks and, after the event, attendees will go out for dinner.
Gillson also shared that SAA@OU will visit the History of Science Collection at OU in November. She also mentioned that SAA@OU is going to try and have parallel visits with Tulsa (in other words, when Norman members visit an archive, Tulsa members will visit a Tulsa archive on the same day).
In December, Gillson and officers would like to have an “end-of-semester” get-together for SAA@OU members so that members can get to know each other better.
In the spring semester, Gillson explained that events are not yet official, but that SAA@OU would like to visit the women’s archives at OSU in Stillwater. It will be convenient because Stillwater is equidistant for Tulsa members and Norman members. Other potential events could be visits to a tribal archive and a corporate archive (Sonic or Chesapeake).
Member (Alexis) suggested a visit to the Nicholls Collection (rare books) at OU. Gillson suggested that we combine the Nicholls Collection visit with the History of Science Collection visit in November.
Gillson mentioned that there is supposedly a political cartoon archive at OU that SAA@OU could possibly visit.
Member (Andrew) informed others about an upcoming conference taking place at OCU that is geared toward United Methodist local church historians/ archivists from the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference and the Oklahoma Conference. The conference will take place on November 12th at OCU and further questions can be directed to Christina Wolf at .
Gillson talked a bit more about archives in general. She explained security procedures archives typically have in place for visitors so that SAA@OU members know what to anticipate.
Gillson ends by encouraging everyone to submit ideas for activities/archives visits.
Meeting concluded at 8:17 p.m.