Presentation "Digitization and Donor Relations: Duties Beyond Processing as a Project Archivist" given during panel "Lessons in Success: Case Studies in Project Management" at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference on October 27, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia.
Christiana Dobrzynski Grippe - MARAC: Donor Relations
1.
2.
3. Job responsibilities
Survey the collection and draft processing plan.
Determine and acquire necessary supplies. Apply simple preservation and
conservation measures.
Compile and revise existing descriptions of materials.
Re-house the collection in acid-free containers.
Write and code detailed finding aid.
Assist with reference activities of the Museum Archives.
Conduct item-level cataloguing of photographic images and coordinate
their digitization and the creation of analogue print copies.
Perform any other duties reasonably related to the functions described
above.
4. Job responsibilities
Survey the collection and draft processing plan.
Determine and acquire necessary supplies. Apply simple preservation and
conservation measures.
Compile and revise existing descriptions of materials.
Re-house the collection in acid-free containers.
Write and code detailed finding aid.
Assist with reference activities of the Museum Archives.
Conduct item-level cataloguing of photographic images and coordinate
their digitization and the creation of analogue print copies.
Perform any other duties reasonably related to the functions described
above.
14. Further developments
After surveying, the Daled Papers seemed to be
incomplete – some records remained with the
donors
Coordinated with curatorial departments as well as
Museum Archives regarding communicating with
donors
Curator determined that additional on-site appraisal
and interaction with the donors was necessary
16. Challenges
Was not part of initial cultivation of MoMA’s relationship with the Daleds
Would not be part of MoMA’s long-term cultivation of relationship with Daleds
Two donors for the one collection
Intensely personal situation and potentially very intrusive
Language barrier
Time constraint
Lack of “institutional memory” as project archivist
Coordinating amongstseveral departments within the Museum
Museum Archives, Curatorial (Prints and Illustrated Books), Registrar, Art Preparation
and Handling, Conservation, Development, etc.
27. Outreach and
educational
opportunities
What comprises an archive?
“Why is this important?”
“Who would be interested in this?”
“How will this be organized?”
28. Final thoughts
Don’t make assumptions!
Being a facilitator for
communication is key
Every interaction is a chance
for outreach (both within the
institution and outside it)
Our impact extends beyond
the archives
Be willing to embrace the
“other duties” associated with
your job – being “temporary”
is not a good reason to ignore
outreach