The Twin Cities Archives Round Table is pleased to announce the third annual Minnesota Archives Symposium (MAS), sponsored by the Hennepin County Library Special Collections Department. MAS is a local educational opportunity for archivists, librarians, records managers, curators and other information professionals. We seek to broaden opportunities to share knowledge and insights among peers at a local level. The Symposium will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014.

This year’s topic will be: Inviting Interaction: Building Digital Access and Connections in Archives & Special Collections.

Call for Proposals:

As technology changes, so do our patrons– users want what they want when they want it how they want it. But how can archives and special collections (no matter their size) identify, build, and sustain digital projects and collections that meet both their users’ needs and their internal goals? How do we use tools to benefit and entice users while still juggling day-to-day needs?

This year’s topic covers this broad theme of digital collections and interaction with our users. Sample ideas include popular digital humanities projects and exhibits, scanning on demand, social media outreach, methods of integrating physical exhibits with new technology, and much more.

We encourage both novices and experts to submit your story in a proposal or session idea. Varied session formats are welcome. We want to hear about what tools you have explored, projects that have worked (and that didn’t), and lessons you have learned along the way.

Details for Submission:

● Full sessions should be 60 minutes in length, include time for Q&A and can include multiple presenters. In addition to traditional sessions, and individual speakers, we accept alternative session ideas such as lightning rounds, breakout sessions, Pecha Kucha, etc.
● If you have a great idea for a topic but need presenters, let us know — we may be able to pair like-minded presenters together.
● Include full contact information with submissions, including name of presenters, preferred method of contact, and institution or school if applicable.
● Please include a 500 word or less abstract and working title for your presentation.

Deadline for submission is Monday, August 25, 2014.
Submissions should be sent via email to the Twin Cities Archives Round Table or submitted online at Google Form.

Registration:

Save the Date!!! The Minnesota Archives Symposium will be held at the Special Collections Department, Minneapolis Central Library (300 Nicollet Mall) from 1-5pm on Friday, October 24. Registration is FREE, but we will ask that participants register their intent to attend soon. Look for more details on registering for this event on the TCART email lists and website.

Questions?

Questions should be sent to the Twin Cities Archives Round Table or Erin George(georg038@umn.edu).