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    Pennsylvania State Archives

    Archives Without Tears

    Archives Without Tears (AWOT) is for those who work or volunteer in organizations that deal with historical records. AWOT aims to provide practical advice, sample forms and policies, and to do discuss archival best practices so that staff can collect, preserve, and assist researchers with the archival treasures in their care.

    Archives Without Tears

    Archives Without Tears (AWOT) is for those who work or volunteer in organizations that deal with historical records — whether it’s a historical society; museum; private, non-profit, or academic archives; local government office; the library’s local history room; or a historic site. AWOT aims to provide practical advice, sample forms and policies, and to do discuss archival best practices so that staff can collect, preserve, and assist researchers with the archival treasures in their care.

    In-person Workshops

    The affordable workshops comprise two full days, with the first focusing primarily on an A-Z of archival practices. Day two concentrates on disaster planning/preparedness, records management and includes a discussion about applying for PHMC's Historical and Archival Records Care Grants.

    Online Key Concepts Overview Modules

    These FREE modules provide very brief and basic overviews of the more in-depth content available through the in-person two-day workshops.

    1: Introduction to Archives and Archivists
    2: Collections Policy
    3: Appraisal/Accessioning
    4: Processing/Preservation
    5: Finding Aids
    6: Environment/Housing
    7: Access
    8: Digitization
    9: Outreach 
    ​10: Born Digital Materials

     
    Resources

    The Northeast Conservation Center has a series of leaflets on a variety of archival topics including Planning and Prioritizing preservation and conservation, The Environment of your facility, Emergency Management, Storage and Handling,  Photographs, Reformatting,  and Conservation Procedures.

    National Park Service Conserve O Grams are short, focused leaflets about caring for museum objects, (and many archival topics)

    The Conservation Center for Art and Historical Artifacts guides and fact sheets

    Gaylord Guide to Collections Care  Written by conservators, our illustrated primer covers the proper handling and storage of paper, photographs, textiles and books. This guide also includes case studies and a list of several additional resources.

    Cornell Copyright Center  A good, simple resource to determine the copyright status of a document, book or map.

    Columbia Fair use Checklist  A simple checklist as to whether the copying of a document/book is considered fair use.

    Fair Use Evaluator Tool

    Council of State Archivists Digitization Projects

    Specs bros. are audio and video tape restorers. They have several pages on preservation and care of magnetic media.

    Population-Specific Recommendations for Protection From Exposure to Mold in Flooded Buildings, by Specific Activity and Risk Factor

    Personal Protection Equipment for Mold Remediation

    International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Managing Records with Limited Resources

    NEDCC Digital Preservation Policy Template 

    Digital Preservation Coalition PowerPoint on how to write a digital preservation policy

    Digital Preservation Coalition Handbook (includes section on institutional policies)

    Penn State University Digital Preservation Policy

    Dartmouth College Digital Preservation Policy