[SOA] Ohio Archives Week-- Get Involved!

[Angela O'Neal]

The Society of Ohio Archivists will observe the 13th annual Archives Week in Ohio the week of October 9 - 15, 2005. The theme for this year is "Ohio Political Memory in the Archives."

Through Archives Week activities and exhibits, we hope to promote public interest in and understanding of archives and archivists, and emphasize the importance of archives and the need to preserve the history of Ohio. We hope that this year's broad theme will complement any programs you may have already planned. Archives, museums, historical societies, libraries, and other organizations with archival and history collections are invited to participate in Archives Week this year by scheduling a special event or exhibit to highlight the collections in your institution. 

Some suggested activities include:

*	Hold a kick-off reception with a featured speaker on the importance of preserving archival records, eg., an archivist or librarian, researcher, or local government official. Don't forget to invite the press! 
*	Print out and display the official Archives Week Poster(http://www.ohioarchivists.org/SOA_poster_2005.pdf <http://www.ohioarchivists.org/SOA_poster_2005.pdf>  ) designed by the Ohio Historical Society 
*	Develop a website consisting of your institution’s contributions, if any, to the Ohio Memory Project.  (www.ohiomemory.org ) 
*	Send press releases to local media, including a description of your archival materials, an article using research from the materials in your collection, or photographs of some of the most interesting materials in your collection. 
*	Contact your local government officials and organizations in your community to let them know about Archives Week. Offer to speak about your collection and what resources in your collection could be of use to them. Or (if possible) offer to be a repository for their historic materials or offer your expertise in helping them organize their archives. 
*	Create a display some of your materials in your institution. 

If you are able to participate with an exhibit or event and would like it publicized through the Society of Ohio Archivists website and listserv, please send a description of the event and contact information by September 20 to:

Lonna McKinley

Museum Archivist

National Museum of the United States Air Force/MUA

2601 E Street

Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7609

(937) 255-4644 x. 734     Fax:  (937) 255-9204       

Email:  lonna.mckinley at WPAFB.AF.MIL

For more information, contact one of the Archives Week Committee Members, listed below.

Sincerely,

Lonna McKinley, National Museum of the US Air Force 
Archives Week In Ohio 2005 Chair 

SOA ARCHIVES WEEK 2005 Committee

George Bain 
Archives and Special Collections 
Ohio University 
Park Place 
Athens, OH 45701-2978 
Phone: (740) 593-2713 
bain at ohio.edu <mailto:bain at ohio.edu>  

Shari Christy

AFRL/HO Archives, Anteon Corp.

2130 Eighth St., Bldg. 45, Rm 3D

WPAFB, OH 45433

Phone: (937) 255-4661

shari.christy at wpafb.af.mil <mailto:shari.christy at wpafb.af.mil>