This assignment was created for LIS 645: Digital Preservation. This policy is a digital preservation policy for the Somerset County 4-H Archive. Through the process of creating this from scratch, I looked at other digital preservation policies from similar and not-so-similar institutions. The policy contains background information on the archive, the objectives of the policy, standards, retention, standards for digitization of the collections, how digital collections will be stored and organized, and the use and rights of the digital items. This project was not something I have done before. It gave me more experience with creating administrative documents which I plan to utilize in the continuation of setting up the Somerset County 4-H Archive. I also anticipate I will probably use what I have learned in other ways with in my librarian career that I do not know yet.
SC4H Digital Preservation Policy
LIS 646: Archival Theory
SC4H Collection Policy
Collection Policies are commonly found in the library science world. This collection development policy I developed as an assignment in LIS 646: Archival Theory is now an adopted collection development policy for the Somerset County 4-H Archives of New Jersey. This collection development policy contains the sections of mission statement, user community, background and history of collections, collecting policy, donation/ gift policy, deaccessioning policy, and resource sharing. In the creation and writing of this policy, it has made me much more aware of what goes into a collection policy and what wording needs to be included to protect the archive and its staff. Since collection policies are used both in public libraries and archives I expect to interact with them both as a teen librarian and archivist.
SC4H Collection Policy
SC4H 35 mm Slide Collection Finding Aid and Arrangment
This project from LIS 646: Archival Theory is the organization and description of 35 mm slides within the Somerset County 4-H Archive. The finding aid includes a descriptive and administrative summary, along with the scope and content of the collection. With this project, I was required to not only think of the collection I was working on but of other collections in the archive. This was due to the fact this finding aid would be the standard for future finding aids. While creating this, I learned and expand my skills in archival description and arrangement as well as time management. Additionally, developing skills dealing with understanding what level of description is needed per collection based on time and end-user expectations. I already have used this knowledge and skills within working at the Hunterdon County Historical Society and Somerset County 4-H Archive and expect to continue using them in the future.
SC4H Finding Aid
SC4H Arrangment
SC4H Omeka Catalog
This project was a part of the final project for LIS 646: Archival Theory. Both collection policy and finding aid were also included in this project. This website, which is an online catalog using the Omeka platform, was an additional portion of the project. This online catalog includes only a select few records of 35 mm slides housed within the collection. The catalog uses the metadata schema of Dublin Core for its records. The project expanded my skills on metadata specifically working with the Dublin Core schema which I initially learned in LIS 652: Metadata with Digital Collections. I also expanded my proficiency with the platform of Omeka. The skills and knowledge with metadata, Dublin Core, and Omeka I have learned and expanded, I used with working at the Hunterdon County Historical Society and expect to use in my future career.
Image from the Somerset County 4-H Archive
35 mm Slides
LIS 647: Intro to Archives
Finding Aid and Arrangment of Don Lawson Slide Collection
This project includes the finding aid, arrangement of the collection, and website. It was the culmination of LIS 647: Intro to Archives. This project is the arrangement of a 35 mm slide collection created and collected by Donald Lawson. I learned how to create a finding aid, and how to arrange the collection based on the collection’s needs in addition to the end users’ needs. This project made me aware of how much thought needs to go into arranging a collection, from keeping the creator's original order in mind to making sure the arrangement makes logical sense to those who will access the collection. Being my first time arranging a collection this taught me not only archival arrangement skills but the knowledge that working with collections is ever-changing. I have come to the understanding that when working on collections what ideas you start with might not be the ones you end with for the arrangement. I have already used these skills working as an intern at a local historical society when working on collections. I have found this to be a fundamental concept when working in archives.
Finding Aid for Don Lawson's 35 mm Slide Collection
Arrangement for Don Lawson's 35 mm Slide Collection
Photo from Don Lawson's 35 mm Slide Collection
LIS 501: Reference and Information Resources and Services
Library Guide for 35 mm Slides
Library guides were not something I saw before attending graduate school. The public library system I currently work in does not utilize these. In LIS 501: Reference and Information Resources and Services, created my first one. This lib guide is on 35 mm slides and includes sources on the history and preservation methods for 35 mm slides. I learned how to create a lib guide as well as how to choose sources during the creation of this project. I am unsure if I will ever create another lib guide in the future, however, if I do I know how to create one. I will also use the skills of finding sources in my career in the future.
Big Bird at the 1972 Somerset County 4-H Fair
35 mm slide from the Somerset County 4-H Archive's collection
Preservation of Archival Materials
LIS 649: Preservation of Documentary Material
Preservation Project
This project from the class LIS 649: Preservation of Documentary Material. In this project, two different documentary materials were examined and a plan of preservation was implemented for each. The two items that were looked at were a silent 16 mm film and a book from 1954. Through this project, I learned how to identify different types of damage and wear to the items, where to find sources to assist in the items' preservation, and what methods should be used. This project made me aware of the different approaches and methods of preservation for these two types of items as well as how sometimes the best method of preservation is to do nothing. I currently use what I learned in this project and the sources I have discovered within my work at the archives I work with in addition to working with the local history collection at the library I currently work at.
Preservation Project Journal
Preservation Project Video
Image from 16 mm film from the project.
Public Librarianship
LIS 501: Reference and Information Resources and Services
Tutorial Video on How to search a Library Catalog
In LIS 501: Reference and Information Resources and Services, I created a tutorial video on how to use the search limiters when searching SCLSNJ’s online library catalog. This project gave me a chance to learn more about the online library catalog I use for my current job. When writing the script for this video and deciding how to explain the different limiters, I had to pretend I did not understand or have any previous background knowledge. By having to think this way, I now have a greater understanding of a patron’s standpoint when it comes to the daunting task of finding the item they want in the catalog. This project also taught me how to create informational videos for patron use. Currently, being a teen librarian I have had to create videos for patron use which these skills I have learned have helped with.