Tag: SAA

SAA Book Publishing Survey Results

Last spring the Publications Board conducted a survey to assess members’ needs to strategize the future of publications. This survey assessed topics of interest, as well as how members want to receive and read books. The latest issue of Archival Outlook has an article describing the results of the survey. About 1,600 people responded, and the results are quite interesting. SAA book publications are important not just to advance the profession, but to help fund the organization. As the article states, “Books published by SAA help our members increase their sum of professional knowledge and to partake in a shared vision for archival practice.”

Ebooks have been a bit slow to take off in the profession, but is likely to grow over the next few years; more than half indicated they prefer print but close to half predicted they would access an ebook in the future. Personally, I like both. Ebooks allow me to search and sometimes I find it easier to use them when I’m writing. I can copy/paste quotes, and also don’t need to balance a book and my laptop while reclining comfortably on my couch. However, I still like seeing them on my bookshelf and find it easier to quick grab a book to look something up or hand it to an intern or staff member to read.

More than half indicated interest in a subscription model, which I’m intrigued by. I like the idea of being able to search across publications and easily access literature. For me it would serve a dual purpose: quickly finding multiple sources for answers, as well as the ability to read/review books prior to purchasing. And, of course, fewer books to check out from the library or order through interlibrary loan.

As a current book author, I constantly think about what information archivists need to grow in their jobs and how my book will be used. Reference, access and outreach ranked 5th out of the 10 topics assessed. However, my interpretation is that topics ranked higher – digital records/digitization, arrangement and description, preservation and conservation – all lead to access. While my book will not go in-depth about those areas, I discuss them in relation to reference and access.

I look forward to seeing how SAA publications evolve and develop based on this survey.

New Coordinator of SAA Reviews Portal

Last December, Alexandra Orchard wrote a post about the SAA Reviews Portal. SAA just announced a new Coordinator, Gloria Gonzalez. I was excited to hear about Gloria’s appointment because of her participation in last year’s SNAP issue of Provenance. She was the reviews editor for that issue, and did a great job of thinking outside the book-review box and brought in reviews about three books, a digital platform, software, the Margaret Sanger Papers Project, and the 2015 Midwest Archives Conference.

The SAA Reviews Portal is a great opportunity to share perspectives  about non-book resources. Writing reviews is a great way to practice writing, and there are a plethora of opportunities with the Portal to explore technology and other resources pertinent to archivists. Give it a try!

from “In the Loop”

New Coordinator for The American Archivist Reviews Portal
Please welcome Gloria Gonzalez as the new Coordinator of the Reviews Portal! Gloria is the library strategist at Zepheira, helping academic and public libraries, archives, and rare book libraries incorporate principles from linked data into their work. Gloria succeeds Alexandra Orchard, who was recently named editor of Archival Issues. Interested in reviewing digital collections, websites, or other archival technology for The American Archivist Reviews Portal? Contact Gloria at gloria@zepheira.com or follow her on Twitter at @InformaticMonad to stay up-to-date on new tools and resources.

 

SAA Recap

Attending SAA is one of my favorite things. Seeing old friends, making new, hearing about projects and accomplishments, and seeing the excitement of archivists for our profession. And this year, it was great to go back to Atlanta where my publishing activities officially started.

First, I want to say thank you to those of you who told me this blog is helpful and that you read it. I’ve been doing this for just over a year and one of my upcoming goals is to do more to market it and gain more readership. So please help spread the word! I’m also hoping to get more contributors, so if you’re interested in sharing your experience or know someone who has something to say, let me know.

There were several opportunities at SAA to talk about publishing. I went to the SAA Toast to Authors, hung out at the bookstore, and attended the Write Away! breakfast. And, of course, there were many conversations in between.

I’ve attended the Write Away! breakfast since 2011. I always enjoy seeing the new faces interested in publishing, the ideas and accomplishments of SAA, and talking with people about writing. I talked to my table about the Reference and Access book and received some good tips and ideas of content. Some were already in my plans, which was helpful to know that I’m on the right track, and some were new ideas.

One question directed at SAA was how do archivists know what are topics of interest or what others are working on where they may want contributors or co-authors? I’ve had this or similar discussions several times over the past few years, and I think it’s time we start figuring it out. I have some ideas: an email discussion group, Google spreadsheet to find ideas and collaborators, live Twitter chats, and using this blog. Please post any ideas in the comments. Talking to each other will help advance writing and publishing!

New Issue: American Archivist

reposted from A&A:

The Spring/Summer issue of The American Archivist is here! Features include a special section on digitizing archives with unique collaborators as well as Kathleen D. Roe’s 2015 presidential address, “Why Archives?” Should we be documenting smell as an essential characteristic? What is the personal and social impact of community archives? How do we process and digitize a scrapbook? What makes a description “honest”? Explore these questions and more in the digital edition: http://americanarchivist.org/toc/aarc/79/1.

SAA Preservation Publication Award

from the SAA website:

Preserving Our Heritage: Perspectives from Antiquity to the Digital Age by Michele V. Cloonan (ALA Neal-Schuman/Facet) is the recipient of the Society of American Archivists’ Preservation Publication Award. Established in 1993, the award recognizes and acknowledges the author or editor of an outstanding published work related to archives preservation and, through this acknowledgment, encourages outstanding achievement by others.

Read the full announcement.

Also, ALA is offering $10 off if you use the code PHPA16 (limited time only).

SAA: Archives Short Fiction Contest

While I started this blog to focus on scholarly publishing, I’m deviating to encourage people to write fiction. Now in Year 2, the fiction contest is a fun and different way to write about archives. This was formulated when I was still on the Publications Board, and I was glad to see so many entries last year. Read the details and have fun writing!

Going to SAA? Opportunities to Talk about Publishing

Every year, there are opportunities to talk to SAA staff and editors about publishing. Speaking from experience, taking the initiative to speak to them can bring opportunities. At the very least, you’ll make a new connection and learn more about publishing with SAA. As I wrote a year ago, it was the SAA Write Away! breakfast that started my involvement with SAA publishing. That was five years ago and I’m still involved. And if you recognize names of authors, editors, or anyone else associated with publishing, I encourage you to introduce yourself and start a conversation.

As a former editor, I truly enjoy talking to anyone about publishing. I see everyone as a potential author and I want to motivate people to write and help them reach their potential. If you see me at SAA, I will gladly talk to you about writing a journal article, a book, or anything else about publishing. And if we don’t have time to chat at SAA, please follow up and we can schedule a time to talk. Truly, this goes for anytime, non just at or around SAA.

So go forth and converse about publishing and writing!

SAA Bookstore Hours:
8:30-5pm, Wednesday;
7:30-5:30 Thursday
7:00-5:00 Friday
8:00-10:00 Saturday

Thursday, August 4
One Book, One Profession Discussion: 12:15-1:30 Brown Bag
American Archivist Article Discussion: 12:15-1:30 Brown Bag
Toast to SAA Authors: 3:15-3:45

Friday, August 5
Write Away! Breakfast: 8:00-9:00
Office Hours, American Archivist, Publications Board, Dictionary Working Group: 12:30-1:30

 

SAA’s One Book, One Profession

In the past few years, SAA has done more to engage members in reading. Primarily, brown bag sessions at the conference to discuss a particular article or book. Now they’re taking it one step further with One Book, One Profession.

As a former Publications Board member, there’s always discussion on how to promote books and hear about members’ likes and needs. It’s a tough task, as we all have different ways of using literature: keeping up, enjoyment, teaching, professional development, etc. I know others in the past have tried to start archives book clubs, though I have no idea about their success.

I’m very interested in this program and how it is used and developed. You can read the whole outline, but here are a few highlights:

I encourage people to participate and if you do, please share your experience on this blog.

Help SAA Shape Future Publications

The SAA Publications Board needs you! Take this 10-minute survey about your book reading preferences and help shape the future of book publishing at SAA. Submit your responses today (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/saabooks), and enter your name in the drawing to win a new iPad with complimentary digital access to three SAA books.

As a former member of the Publications Board, I know your voice is important. Publishing is changing and evolving, and knowing how both members and non-members would like to access is important to the development of SAA publishing. Please share your opinion!

Call: SAA Research Forum

I have yet to attend SAA’s Research Forum, though I’m always intrigued by it. If you’ve presented or attended, please share your experience in the comments.

Here is the information: http://www2.archivists.org/proceedings/research-forum/2016/call.

They also share everything from past Forums, including posters, research reports, and peer-review research papers: http://archivists.org/proceedings/research-forum.