Western Archives Institute (WAI) will be returning in Summer 2026 as a fully online program hosted by the SCA!
After a brief hiatus, the Western Archives Institute (WAI) will be returning in
Summer 2026 as a fully online program hosted by the Society of California
Archivists (SCA).
WAI is an intensive, two-week program that offers integrated instruction in basic
archival practices. It is designed for individuals with diverse professional goals,
including those whose roles require a foundational understanding of archival skills
but who have little or no prior archival training; those assuming increased
responsibility for archival materials; practicing archivists without formal archival
education; and individuals committed to pursuing a career in archives.
The Institute features a diverse curriculum of synchronous sessions that include:
Introduction to the archival profession and core concepts
Starting and managing an Archives program
Principles of archival collection arrangement and description
Best practices for digitization, digital preservation, and born-digital content
management
Outreach and public relations
Reference and access
Ethical, social, and legal issues in administering archival collections
Working with communities
Fundraising for an Archives program
Registration fees for WAI are $950 for the two-week program (exact dates in
Summer 2026 are forthcoming). Visit our website to learn about the SCA WAI
Scholarship that covers registration fees.
You can sign up for our mailing list if you’d like to receive updates about the 2026
program dates and deadlines.
For additional information please contact Marcella Lees, WAI Administrator, and
Eric Milenkiewicz, WAI Associate Administrator, at wai@calarchivists.org.
AGM Awards and Scholarships
The deadline for nominations for the four SCA awards given at the
Annual General Meeting (AGM) is fast approaching: Monday, February
2nd!
Please consider honoring a colleague with a nomination for the Career
Achievement Award or the Archival Award of Excellence, or
recognizing service to SCA over a twelve-year period with a Sustained
Service Award. Sponsored by Hollinger Metal Edge, Inc., the Archives
Appreciation Award recognizes an agency, organization or institution
that has provided extraordinary support for archival programs of all
sorts.
The same deadline (Monday, February 2nd) also applies to the AGM-
related scholarship for graduate students in archival studies: the
Advancing Equity: Graduate Education Scholarship supports
students of color in their pursuit of graduate archival education.
Please see the Awards & Scholarships page on the SCA website for
awards nomination and scholarship application forms, and feel free to
reach out to the committee at awards@calarchivists.org if you have any
questions.
Coffee Chat
Ever wondered how SCA elections actually work? Or how you can get involved behind the scenes? Grab your favorite mug and join the SCA Elections Committee for a relaxed Coffee Chat! We’ll spill the beans on what the committee does, how elections run, and how you can help make it all happen.
Thursday, November 20th
1:00 p.m. PST
https://northeastern.zoom.us/j/99296085007
Bring your questions, curiosity, and coffee—we can’t wait to chat with you!
#calarchivists #SCAElections #SCAEvents #CoffeeWithSCA
2026 SCA Election Nominations
The Society of California Archivists' Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations and self-nominations for the following positions (click on the links for more detailed descriptions of these positions in the SCA handbook):
Vice President / President Elect* (3-year term)
This position assists and substitutes for the SCA President as needed. They serve the important role of Chair of the Program Committee, which plans and presents the Annual General Meeting each spring. In this role, they are supported by the Junior Director at Large, who serves as Vice Chair of the Program Committee. This is a three year term position on the Board beginning as Vice President in 2026, President in 2027, and then as Immediate Past President in 2028.
Treasurer* (2-year term)
The Treasurer is responsible for all financial transactions of SCA, keeping an accurate record of those transactions, and reporting to the Board of Directors and the general membership on the financial condition of the organization. They also file yearly tax-exempt reports to the IRS, and reimburse the Board of Directors and other members for approved expenditures.
Director at Large* (2-year term)
There are two Directors who represent the membership at large on the SCA Board. The junior Director serves as Vice Chair of the Program Committee and Records Retention Coordinator. In their second year as senior Director, they serve as an advisory member and Board liaison to the Local Arrangements Committee. Each Director serves staggered two year terms.
Nominating Committee member (2-year term)
The Nominating Committee is made up of two elected members, serving staggered two year terms, and chaired by the Immediate Past President. They solicit candidates for all SCA elected positions including the SCA Board of Directors and prepare a slate of candidates for offices falling vacant within a given year.
*Board positions:
● Membership fees are waived for Board members during their terms.
● The SCA Board meets quarterly with at least one in-person meeting per year (sometimes two, depending on whether the AGM is in person or virtual that year).
● Board members are reimbursed for travel and lodging costs incurred in attending Board meetings.
● For the Board meeting held in conjunction with an in-person AGM travel is not reimbursed, but one night of lodging at the conference hotel rate may be reimbursed.
__
Please complete the SCA 2026 Candidate Nominating Form with your own name or the name of a colleague that you think would make a good candidate for service in SCA.
SCA is a volunteer-run organization that relies greatly on its members to not only operate as an organization but also to remain relevant and useful to archives professionals throughout the state of California. Serving on the SCA Board or on the Nominating Committee is an excellent way to both become more familiar with the archival profession in California and to have an impact on SCA’s future and the future of its members. It's also a great chance to work with a team of wonderful archival colleagues from around the state, while developing your own professional strengths.
Please submit all nominations by Monday, December 1, 2025.
2025-2026 SCA Nominating Committee:
Nicole Shibata, SCA Immediate Past-President (Chair)
Marlayna Christensen
Hilary Swett
SCA Virtual Annual General Meeting 2026
Save the date! Join us for the 2026 Virtual AGM from April 14-17, 2026. This year’s theme is Shifting Ground: Preserving Memory Amid Upheaval, and we are now accepting session proposals. The deadline for proposals is Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:59 pm PT.
Conference sessions will run from Tuesday, April 14 through Friday, April 17, with two pre-conference workshops offered on Monday, April 13. Dates for the annual SCA Leadership and Board Meetings will be announced soon. For more information on the call for proposals, please visit https://calarchivists.org/2026-virtual-agm
2025 Strategic Planning Final Report Now Available
After two years of listening, learning, and engaging with members of the Society of California Archivists, the SCA Strategic Planning Task Force is pleased to announce the release of our final report, now available online:
June 2025 Final Report of the Strategic Planning Task Force
After conducting a membership survey, focus group interviews, and gathering additional member feedback at the 2025 Annual General Meeting, the Task Force summarized findings and made six overall recommendations:
- Increase Organizational Support for Members to Network
- Review, Streamline, and Improve Communication Channels
- Make Committees and Their Work More Visible
- Increase SCA Leadership's Engagement with Members
- Promote and Encourage Participation in Leadership Positions
- Make Scholarships More Visible
We encourage SCA members to read the full report and share their feedback with the SCA Board of Directors. The Task Force deeply appreciates the members for their ongoing support of SCA and we hope these recommendations help chart a future for its next decade and beyond.
Alix Norton and Leilani Marshall, co-chairs
on behalf of the SCA Strategic Planning Task Force
strategicplanning@calarchivists.org
2025 California Archives Month Poster Submission (EXTENDED)
posted July 22, 2025
Deadline for submission is extended to 11:59 pm on August 22, 2025.We’re now calling on all institutions interested in submitting images for the 2025 California Archives Month poster! This year’s theme, “California Unites!,” will be showcased on California’s fully-virtual poster. For this year's theme, we are seeking images that demonstrate Californians' unity, resistance, and resilience in the face of social, environmental, or cultural challenges.
Instructions
-
Please select up to three images that you feel best represent this theme and submit using this form: https://forms.gle/aWU1dNQnAvKPKJjL9. One submission per form; you may submit the form multiple times (up to 3).
-
Image files must be in the TIFF (.tif) format captured at 300 ppi or higher, if possible. There is a 100 Mb limit for attachments submitted through the form.
-
If you have any questions about the poster or image submission, you can contact SCA’s Communications & Outreach Committee at outreach@calarchivists.org.
Summer 2025 SCA Newsletter
July 02, 2025 10:07 AM | SCA Admin
The summer newsletter is now online.
Thank you to all those who submitted articles and news items for this issue. Another issue will be coming out this summer, so please consider submitting an article or some news about your work.
Happy reading!
Sue Tyson, Andrew Kopp, Richelle Mackenzie, and Rebecca Vasquez
SCA Newsletter Team
newsletter@calarchivists.org
SCA Board Statement on the firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
May 16, 2025 4:57 PM | SCA Admin
The Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists echoes the American Library Association’s disappointment in the firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden by President Trump.
As ALA President Cindy Hohl stated on May 9th, "Dr. Hayden’s abrupt and unjust dismissal is an insult to the scope and breadth of work Dr. Hayden has undertaken in her role leading the Library of Congress.”1 As per the New York Times, “Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said the administration believed Dr. Hayden ‘did not fit the needs of the American people,’ and that her firing resulted from ‘quite concerning things that she had done at the Library of Congress in the pursuit of D.E.I.’”2 SCA is, at its core, an organization that develops, supports, and promotes archival education to all individuals regardless of national origin, race, orientation, or religion, making it fundamentally in disagreement with the Trump Administration’s anti-DEI efforts.
California’s archival community includes people of color, members of the LGBTQI community, immigrants, religious clergy, and people with disabilities. The records we hold document the historical past, transform communities, and promote unity and understanding. We value diversity in all its manifestations.
In solidarity,
The Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists
1. “ALA Praises Service of Dr. Carla Hayden, Decries ‘Unjust Dismissal’ of Librarian of Congress | ALA,” accessed May 12, 2025.
2. Erica L. Green, “Trump Fired Librarian of Congress Over D.E.I.,” The New York Times, May 9, 2025, sec. U.S., https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/us/politics/hayden-library-of-congress-dei.html.
Amplifying SAA Diversity Committee's Statement on Attacks against DEIA Programs
April 25, 2025 11:05 AM | SCA President
The Society of California Archivists strongly supports the SAA Diversity Committee’s Statement on Nationwide Attacks against DEIA Programs and Initiatives.
These attacks have had an outsized impact on the lives of many in our professional community. Some have been strong-armed into compliance with Executive Orders; had important funding or employment terminated; and/or lost the freedom and agency to work according to their professional values.
Diversity is a core value for both SAA and SCA, and DEIA programs and initiatives are central to our work as archivists. We stand behind the SAA Diversity Committee and encourage our SCA members to read the full statement and share it widely.
In solidarity,
Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists
Measure to increase membership dues passes
April 24, 2025 3:14 PM | SCA Admin
For almost 20 years, SCA membership dues remained unchanged. Recently, a measure to increase annual membership fees passed with 90% approval over the following categories: Individual (now $65), Institutional (now $120), and Retiree (now $30). New rates will be effective in May. Student membership dues will remain at $20.
Board Statement in Support of IMLS
April 16, 2025 11:04 AM | SCA President
SCA stands behind the American Library Association (ALA) and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in challenging the Trump Administration’s executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Last week, ALA and AFSCME filed a lawsuit against the administration, asking a federal judge to halt the elimination of programs and services offered by the IMLS. “Libraries play an important role in our democracy, from preserving history to providing access to government information, advancing literacy and civic engagement, and offering access to a variety of perspectives,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl. “These values are worth defending. We will not allow extremists to threaten our democracy by eliminating programs at IMLS and harming the children and communities who rely on libraries and the services and opportunities they provide.”
You can learn more about the executive order and what you can do to support IMLS on ALA’s website here.
In Solidarity,
Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists
Reminder: 2025 SCA Election closing soon! Vote now!
March 09, 2025 2:14 PM SCA Admin (Administrator)
The deadline to vote in the Society of California Archivists’ 2025 Officer’s Election is fast approaching! Don’t forget to make your voice heard in shaping the future of the Society of California Archivists. Your vote counts!
Voting Deadline: March 14, 2025
Head to your personal ballots in your email to cast your ballot!
- Vice President / President Elect (3-year term)
- Secretary (2-year term)
- Membership Director (2-year term)
- Director-at-Large (2-year term)
- Nominating Committee member (2-year term)
Let’s keep moving forward, together!
February 05, 2025 7:48 PM
We have five offices to fill from our slate of candidates. Each candidate has provided a brief bio, statement, and responded to a specific question related to the office for which they are running. Below is a brief description of each position on the ballot this year.
Please follow the link from the candidates’ names to see their candidate statements.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Vice-President/President Elect
The elected candidate serves the first year as the Vice-president and as the program chair for the Society's annual general meeting, and assists or substitutes as the President, as needed. The Vice-president is President-elect and automatically becomes President on the expiration of the President's term. This is a three-year commitment.
Azalea Camacho
Secretary
The Secretary is the chief recorder and keeper of the records of the Corporation, handles the official correspondence, and maintains the SCA Handbook. This is a two-year commitment.
Joanna Black
Membership Director
The Membership Director acts as corresponding secretary in matters relating to membership and membership development and keeps records and data relating to all membership functions. The Membership Director also serves as Chair of the Membership Committee. This is a two-year commitment.
Jessica Gambling
Director-At-Large
The Director-at-Large attends quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors, serves as a liaison to the WAI Joint Management Committee, and actively participates in the work of the Society and its committees. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the President. This is a two-year commitment.
Stella Castillo
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee solicits candidates for the SCA Board of Directors and prepares a slate of candidates for offices falling vacant within a given year. The three member committee is chaired by the Immediate Past President. This is a two-year commitment.
Marlayna Christensen
Eligibility and Voting Guidelines
All members in good standing before February 10, 2025, will be eligible to vote. Members who join or renew while the election is open (February 10, 2025, through March 14, 2025), will be sent a personalized link to participate in the election. See the SCA website for membership information.
Contact the chair of the Election Committee, Rebecca Leung, at elections@calarchivists.org with any questions.
November 11, 2024 6:55 AM | SCA Admin
SCA's Future -- Let's Talk at the AGM!
Posted March 4, 2025
Join the SCA Strategic Planning Task Force after lunch on Thursday, April 3. We'll be reviewing the results of the 2024 member-wide survey, discussing recommendations for future directions for the organization, and soliciting member feedback. We hope to talk with you soon.
2025 SCA AGM - Repository tours and Gourmet Night
Posted February 21, 2025
Don't forget to signup for repository tours and Gourmet Night!You can register for repository tours here.All tours are scheduled for Wednesday, April 2 and each tour will be no longer than 2 hours. Sites include the Autry Resources Center, Burbank Historical Society, Disney Archives, NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Corporate Archives. Detailed descriptions of each tour can be found on the Repository Tours webpage. All tours will include standing and walking. All sites are wheelchair accessible unless otherwise noted. For those who require any special accommodations can note their needs in the tour registration form. In addition, unless noted otherwise, there is no easy or quick public transit route to these locations from the conference hotel. Driving or using ride-share is the most viable option. |
The 2025 SCA AGM Gourmet Night will be held on Thursday, April 3.
Gourmet Night is a fun opportunity to connect with others in the archival profession who you may not already know. Sign up here to join others for dinner on Thursday, April 3rd at 7pm. The shared spreadsheet will be available online through March 31st. In-person sign-ups will also be available at the conference. All costs are the responsibility of the attendees.
The restaurants to choose from include Idle Hour, Laurel Tavern, Don Cuco, SunCafe Organic, Jon & Vinny’s, Vitello’s, The Smoke House, and The Front Yard
Board Statement in Support of NARA
The Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists stands by our colleagues at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) during this chaotic and uncertain time. With the unprecedented firing of the Archivist of the United States; the sudden removal of DEI programs, documentation, and guidance across federal agencies; and the threat of widespread federal layoffs; we call on Congress and the courts to protect the vital, nonpartisan role of NARA and uphold the rule of law.
Political interference into NARA's work threatens the transparency and integrity of our nation's documentary heritage.Central to SCA’s core values is the “belief that public notice should be given before removal of any online government information” and a “commitment to offer users free access to information without discrimination.” If you want to learn more about current efforts to preserve public government data, please see the Data Rescue Resource Guide compiled by SCA’s Labor Advocacy and Public Policy Committee.
This is a constantly evolving situation, but your voice matters! We urge SCA members and fellow archivists to support our colleagues at NARA by contacting legislators and pushing for accountability, transparency, and support for the important work that they do to “preserve, protect, and share the historical records of the United States to promote public inquiry and strengthen democratic participation.”
In solidarity,
Board of Directors of the Society of California Archivists
To our Southern California SCA community
Posted January 9, 2025
Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the catastrophic fires in Southern California. At this point we don't know the extent to which our local archives and cultural heritage institutions have been affected, but we will be monitoring the situation and sharing any additional resources as they become available. Please share your own news and resources on the West_arch listserv or by tagging us on social media so that we can repost:
- Northeast Document Conservation Center: NEDCC has a number of free services and resources on their website as well as a 24/7 disaster assistance hotline: 1-855-245-8303.
- Heritage Emergency National Task Force: HENTF is co-sponsored by FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution to assist cultural institutions when their collections are damaged by a disaster.
- National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives: SAA Foundation's NDRFA grants of up to $5,000 available for immediate recovery efforts. Applications are processed quickly, with grants typically awarded within 7–10 business days.
- LA County wildfire emergency page: includes important updates, resources for residents impacted by the fires, evacuation information, and a fire map.
- Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network (MALAN): information hub for mutual aid efforts across the city of LA. They have a comprehensive and growing resource library for those affected by the fires.
Sincerely,
SCA Board
Anti-Ableism Training with Annie Roos
Monday, December 9, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)
Webinar Description:
While 26% of the U.S. population has a disability, all people are impacted by ableism. In this interactive, 2-hour anti-ableism training, participants will learn the historical context of the systemic exclusion of people with disabilities, how disability culture grew from civil rights movements, and what disability means. Participants will be able to explore topics of ableism in archives, libraries, and museums through dialogue with the speaker as well as each other, with the aim of leaving the workshop with ideas of actionable ways to incorporate anti-ableism principles into their own workplace. Through language and our understanding of intersectionality, we will explore ableism through a disability justice lens, leaving us with ideas for how to be better allies to the disability community and bring access into our work and daily lives.
Please forward any questions or comments to Rob Strauss and Emily Homolka at educationcommittee@calarchivists.org.
The cost is $10 for SCA members; $5 for student members; $20 for non-members; and $5 for unemployed or precariously employed individuals.
Presenters:
Annie Roos (she/her) is a neurodivergent museum accessibility specialist with over 15 years of experience. Passionate about access intimacy, she explores the layers of challenges, seeking innovative and inclusive ways to solve problems. Annie obtained her MA in Disability Studies from CUNY and her BS in Studio Art from Skidmore College. Outside the museum, you can find her tending to her plants, dancing to music, and feeling joy with her community.
Register here:
https://calarchivists.org/event-5931000
Registration is open until December 8. Online payment is required.
- Questions about your membership? Contact Marie Silva
- Questions about Registration? Contact the Education Committee
- Problems with your credit card payment? Need to request a refund involving credit card or PayPal? Contact treasurer@calarchivists.org
Western Archives Institute Position
November 11, 2024 6:48 AM | SCA Admin
The Society of California Archivists (SCA) seeks an experienced and dynamic professional to lead the planning of a reimagined and sustainable Western Archives Institute (WAI) program, reviewing past practices and ultimately developing an administrative toolkit that will be used to administer an online program in 2026.
Founded in 1986, WAI is a continuing education program for individuals whose jobs require a fundamental understanding of archival skills, but have little or no formal archives education; those who have expanding responsibility for archival materials; those who are practicing archivists but have not received formal instruction; those who demonstrate a commitment to an archival career. We seek to reach new participants, particularly those developing and caring for community archives in underserved communities.
Deliverables:
Identify an appropriate course management system for WAI
Recommend administrative structure for online-only WAI
Recommend student application system
Review and update existing rubrics and assessment tools
Perform a budget and tuition analysis with attention to long-term program sustainability
Produce updated documentation including but not limited to existing procedures, forms, assessment tools, and manuals
Required Qualifications:
Experience in administering or managing online continuing education/professional development programs
Knowledge of instructional design principles in online learning environments
Experience using learning management systems
Experience managing budgets
Commitment to inclusive and interdisciplinary pedagogical practices
Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a changing environment to bring projects to a successful completion
Organizational, interpersonal, analytical, written communication, and decision-making skills
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience evaluating online educational programs
Information science/archives background
Pay and Work Schedule:
The successful candidate will receive a $15,000 stipend
This is a remote position with deliverables to be completed by August 2025
Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2024. Please submit a resumé or CV and cover letter to president@calarchivists.org.
Nicole Shibata
SCA President, 2024-2025
Society of California Archivists
www.calarchivists.org
2025 AGM Proposals
October 29, 2024 11:00 AM | SCA Vice President
The Society of California Archivists (SCA) invites submissions of session proposals for our 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held in-person from April 2-4, 2025 at the Garland Hotel in Studio City, CA.
The deadline for proposals is Friday, December 6, 2024 (11:59pm PT). If you have a particular topic in mind and are looking for co-presenters, please use the SCA AGM ideas spreadsheet to make connections.
The Program Committee invites your submissions, especially those based on next year's theme The Future of Memory: Archival Innovation and Sustainability.
The theme can be broadly interpreted, expanding on the scope of interpretations of innovation and sustainability. We aim to include a broad and diverse range of sessions and topics.
See the full call and SUBMIT your session proposals here: https://forms.gle/qXmbVhu77PETHSc7A
October 16, 2024 7:24 PM | SCA Admin
The SCA newsletter is seeking articles and notices about your activities and accomplishments for the Winter issue. The newsletter relies entirely on submissions from community members, so please share your news with the California archives community.
How about an article on newly processed collections, new acquisitions, your institution's response to the challenging budget environment, grants received, or an ongoing project? Or you might consider a short notice on upcoming events, exhibit openings, new hires, student activities, internship opportunities, or workshops? Have you read a great book that other archivists might find interesting? How about submitting a short review of it? Submissions on any topics of interest to the California archives community are welcome. We would love to have short news and events items from repositories and archivists throughout the state.
Please review all submission guidelines online.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, November 25, 2024. Email your submissions to newsletter@calarchivists.org. Be sure to include your repository name, location, and contact information.
For more information, please contact the newsletter editors at newsletter@calarchivists.org.
Thank you for sharing!
Best,
The SCA Newsletter team
Marissa Friedman
Sue Tyson
Maria Carrillo Colato
Sereen Suleiman
newsletter@calarchivists.org
Fall 2024 Newsletter
October 07, 2024 1:38 PM | SCA Admin
The Fall 2024 SCA Newsletter is now online at http://www.calarchivists.org/Publications/SCANewsletter.
Thank you to all those who submitted articles and news items for this issue. Another issue will be coming out this fall, so please consider submitting an article or some news about your work. A call for submissions will go out shortly.
Happy reading!
Marissa Friedman, Sue Tyson, Andrew Kopp, Sereen Suleiman, and Maria Carrillo Colato
SCA Newsletter Team
newsletter@calarchivists.org
SCA wants you! Call for Nominations for SCA officers
The Society of California Archivists' Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations and self-nominations for the following positions:
* Vice President / President Elect (3-year term)
* Secretary (2-year term)
* Membership Director (2-year term)
* Director at Large (2-year term)
* Nominating Committee member (2-year term)
Please complete the SCA 2025 Candidate Nominating Form with your own name or the name of a colleague that you think would make a good candidate for service in SCA.
SCA is a volunteer-run organization that relies greatly on its members to not only operate as an organization but also to remain relevant and useful to archives professionals throughout the state of California. Serving on the SCA Board or on the Nominating Committee is an excellent way to both become more familiar with the archival profession in California and to have an impact on SCA’s future and the future of its members. It's also a great chance to work with a team of wonderful archival colleagues from around the state, while developing your own professional strengths.
For more information about each of these positions and their responsibilities, please review sections 2-3, 2-4, 2-7, 2-8 and 3-12 of the SCA Handbook.
Please submit all nominations by Monday, December 2, 2024.
Thank you for your thoughtful submissions!
2024-2025 SCA Nominating Committee:
Lisa Mix, SCA Immediate Past-President (Chair)
Hanna Ahn
Hilary Swett
Announcing the 2025 AGM!
The Society of California Archivists 2025 AGM will be held, in-person, at
The Garland
Los Angeles, April 2-4, 2025
The SCA Local Arrangements Committee is thrilled to announce that the 2025 AGM will be held at The Garland Hotel in North Hollywood on April 2-4.
This iconic Los Angeles institution was founded in 1970 by actress Beverly Garland and her husband, Filmore Crank. It was designed to offer a hideaway to LA's hippest crowd. Now owned and operated by Beverly's son, James, the newly renovated hotel has become an award winning destination for food and fun.
Help us kick off the countdown to AGM 2025 by checking out all The Garland has to offer:
The Garland
The Garland Events Schedule
The Garland Gallery
Stay tuned for registration and booking information
Get ready to let the #goodtimes roll!
Sincerely,
The 2025 SCA Local Arrangements Committee
Kelsey Knox
Alanna Quan
2025 Elections - Candidate Information Available!
Workshop Announcement: Anti-Ableism with Annie Roos
Position Announcement: WAI Planning Consultant
Call for Proposals SCA AGM 2025
Call for Submissions, Winter 2024 SCA Newsletter
Fall 2024 SCA Newsletter available
2024 California Archives Month Poster Submission
We’re now calling on all institutions interested in submitting images for the 2024 California Archives Month poster! This year’s theme, “Great Ideas Start Here,” will be showcased on California’s fully-virtual poster.
Instructions
- Please select up to three images that you feel best represent this theme and send them to outreach@calarchivists.org by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, for a chance to be featured on the poster.
- Image files must be in the TIFF (.tif) format captured at 300 ppi or higher, if possible. There is a 25 Mb limit for attachments sent to the above Gmail address, so you may need to send multiple submissions if you are sending multiple images in order to stay under the cap.
- Include in each submission email: 1) the name of the holding organization, 2) File name, and 3) a description of the image that includes the subject, location (if known), and date (or approximation).
- If you have any questions about the poster or image submission, you can contact SCA’s Communications & Outreach Committee at outreach@calarchivists.org.
Summer 2024 SCA Newsletter!
July 10, 2024 8:21 PM | SCA Admin
The Summer 2024 SCA Newsletter is now available online at http://www.calarchivists.org/Publications/SCANewsletter!
Thank you to all those who submitted articles and news items for this issue. Another issue will be coming out this fall, so please consider submitting an article or some news about your work. A call for submissions will go out shortly.
Happy reading!
Congratulations Audra Eagle Yun and Polina E. Ilieva
July 10, 2024 8:11 PM | SCA Admin
This August at the SAA Annual Meeting in Chicago, Society of California Archivists members, Audra Eagle Yun and Polina E. Ilieva, will be inducted as Fellows of the Society of American Archivists. This is the highest honor bestowed on individuals by SAA and is awarded for outstanding contributions to the archives profession.
Bravo Audra and Polina!
More information about this prestigious award and this year's recipients here: https://www2.archivists.org/2024-Fellows-and-Award-Recipients
Committee Vacancies
March 18, 2024 11:18 PM | SCA Admin
The Society of California Archivists depends on its members to help the organization function at its best. In advance of the SCA AGM 2024 on April 15th, members are invited to consider becoming a volunteer with any of our committees.
Below is a list of committees that have announced vacancies for the coming year. You can learn more about these and all of our committees at our SCA Standing Committees page. You will find contacts listed at the bottom of each committee page.
We sincerely thank all our 2023-2024 committee members for generously volunteering their time and skills. We could not do SCA’s work without you!
Please consider volunteering to join or chair a committee.
Many thanks,
Lisa Mix
SCA President
Communications and Outreach (contact committee)
Disseminates information about the archival profession and about SCA activities to allied organizations and professions and the public. Also designs, maintains and updates the SCA website, and SCA social media sites, to facilitate communication among SCA members and others.
Open chairs: 2 Co-Chairs
Members needed: New members welcome
Development (contact committee)
Fundraises to support SCA's activities and programs, through both member gifts and outside funding sources.
Open chairs: 1 Co-Chair
Members needed: None
Election (contact committee)
Conducts annual elections for SCA Board member positions.
Open chairs: None
Members needed: 1 (one of our two members will leave after this election cycle)
Labor, Advocacy and Public Policy (contact committee)
Responsible for promoting advocacy in response to key issues that may impact archives, diversity, and the role of archives and archivists within society.
Open chairs: None
Members needed: No members needed, but always open to interested volunteers
Local Arrangements (AGM) (contact committee)
Manages all physical arrangements of the Annual General Meeting (hotel, event venues, catering, travel, etc).
Open chairs: Junior chair
Members needed: New members welcome
Publications (contact committee)
Develops, produces and markets SCA’s publications: SCA Newsletter, Directory of Archival and Manuscript Repositories in California, and other publications.
Open chairs: None
Members needed: 3 (two assistant editors; 1 layout editor)
March 11, 2024 2:30 PM | SCA Task Force on Strategic Planning
The Strategic Planning Task Force invites you to participate in a survey on your experience with the Society of California Archivists. Your responses are important to us and will be used to guide recommendations to the SCA Board for directing the resources and activities of SCA in the coming years. You do not need to be a current member to participate in this survey.
Access the membership survey at this link: bit.ly/sca-survey-2024
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. All responses to this survey will be anonymous. Answers to some questions are required in order to complete the survey and are marked with a red asterisk (*). Some multiple-choice questions have an option to explain your answer more fully in writing, and we encourage you to do so when you feel you have more to share. There are two questions on demographics at the end of the survey, which are optional.
The survey will close on May 31, 2024.
In addition to this membership survey, the SCA Strategic Planning Task Force will be conducting Zoom interviews with focus groups in Spring 2024 to get more information on the experiences of archives workers in California.
If you are interested in learning more about participating in the SCA focus groups, or if you have any questions about this survey or about the strategic planning process, please email us at strategicplanning@calarchivists.org.
Thank you for participating!
Sincerely,
SCA Strategic Planning Task Force
Alix Norton and Leilani Marshall, co-chairs
Melissa Haley
Anne Hall
Ellen Jarosz
|
Eric Milenkiewicz |
Mattie Taormina
Pre-Conference Workshops - Register by April 11
April 03, 2024 9:26 PM | SCA Communications and Outreach
SCA Education Committee will be hosting 2 virtual workshops on Friday, April 12th as we gear up for AGM! Check out the information below and click to register.
The cost for each workshop is $20 for SCA members; $5 for student members; $30 for non-members; and $5 for unemployed or precariously employed individuals.
Please forward any questions or comments to Sandy Enriquez and Emily Homolka at educationcommittee@calarchivists.org.
Registration is open until April 11. Online payment is required.
Event Details:
Re-framing Organizations: Managing Change As You Move Your Organization Forward
Friday, April 12, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time)
This pre-conference workshop for the 2024 SCA AGM is presented by Dr. Rita Mukherjee Hoffstadt and hosted by the SCA Education Committee.
Webinar Description:
What does transformational change in an organization look like? In this workshop you will be given tools to help you study what is needed, make a plan, and adjust along the way. In this workshop you will learn about the changes that Folsom History, formerly known as Folsom Historical Society, implemented to become more relevant in their community. Small breakout groups will allow you to discuss ideas and steps for you to implement changes in your own organization. A final group reflection will allow for discussion on critical issues to address when transforming an organization or department.
Registration is limited to 50 attendees
Presenter:
Dr. Rita Mukherjee Hoffstadt is the Executive Director of Folsom History, with over 23 years of experience developing programs and exhibits for museums and science centers. Her work focuses on making powerful and complex ideas accessible and relevant to audiences of all ages.
------------------------------
Event Details:
Unlocking Learning Landscapes: Leveraging Places in Archival Instructional Programming
Friday, April 12, 2024
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)
This pre-conference workshop for the 2024 SCA AGM is presented by Autumn M. Johnson, Erin K. Patterson, and Dawn "Nikki" Canon-Rech and hosted by the SCA Education Committee.
Webinar Description:
Game-based instructional programs, especially through escape experiences, are innovative ways to teach with archival, primary sources to a more engaged and diverse audience. For three years, Georgia Southern University's Special Collections has successfully developed game-based programs that have come to be a highlight of October's Archives Month. In exploring how this program series might be continuously improved, they most recently partnered with their local Botanical Gardens. The recent program was thematically centered around t he Garden's rich natural and cultural history and, more critically, was offered on-site to participants. In addition to building on common values between the two institutions to offer historically driven opportunities that connect learners with the cultural heritage of the region, the program saw a dramatic increase in attendance and patron engagement.
In this interactive workshop, presenters will explore the impact of providing programs outside of the archive and how place-based initiatives can effectively immerse participants in a conducive learning environment for success. The benefits of applying principles of place-based education will be explored as well as how archivists can play a more active role in creating these types of immersive learning experiences. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with game components as well as develop game scenarios utilizing archival and primary sources, alongside a specific setting.
Session Format: Zoom utilizing Breakout rooms and real-time worksheets for group engagement.
Presenters:
Autumn M. Johnson serves as the Special Collections Librarian and Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University, where she oversees instruction, outreach, and reference efforts for the Zach S. Henderson Library's Special Collections. Johnson previously held positions as the Information Literacy Coordinator at Savannah State University and User Engagement Librarian at Augusta University. With research interests centered on game-based learning in archives and teaching with primary sources, she has presented on these topics both nationally and internationally. She earned her Master’s of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina in 2011 and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Georgia Southern University (Armstrong) in 2009.
Erin K. Patterson is the Gretsch Project Archivist at Georgia Southern University. As a part of the Special Collections unit at Zach S. Henderson Library, she is in charge of the processing and discoverability of the Gretsch Archival Collections along with supporting other Special Collections projects when needed. She earned her MLIS from the University of South Carolina focusing on Archives and Preservation in 2016 and a B.A. in History from Mercer University in 2012.
Dawn “Nikki” Canon-Rech is the Sustainability Librarian and liaison to the College of Science and Mathematics at Georgia Southern University. In this role, she works to integrate information literacy skills into campus life through instruction and outreach programs. Nikki is also the University’s Library Coordinator for Georgia’s statewide Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG) initiative where she coordinates efforts to help faculty with the adoption, creation, and use of Open Educational Resources, as well as other alternatives for affordable learning.
January 29, 2024 5:59 AM SCA Communications and Outreach (Administrator)
When you attend a virtual conference, are you bummed to not see fellow archivists face-to-face? Well, let's fix that together! The Society of California Archivists Program Committee is seeking local volunteers to organize informal, no-host, in-person meet-ups the week of our Annual General Meeting, Pivoting: Responding to Changes in the Archives, from April 15th-19th, 2024.
If interested, please fill out the form here, and we'll be in touch soon!
Sincerely,
Mallory Furnier
SCA AGM Program Committee Vice Chair, 2024
February 07, 2024 5:54 AM | SCA Communications and Outreach
We have four offices to fill from our slate of candidates. Each candidate has provided a brief bio, statement, and responded to a specific question related to the office for which they are running. Below is a brief description of each position on the ballot this year.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Vice-President/President Elect
The elected candidate serves the first year as the Vice-president and as the program chair for the Society's annual general meeting, and assists or substitutes as the President, as needed. The Vice-president is President-elect, and automatically becomes President on the expiration of the President's term. This is a three-year commitment.
Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for all financial transactions of SCA, for keeping an accurate record of those transactions, and reporting to the Board of Directors and the general membership on the financial condition of the organization. The work of collecting, disbursing, and accounting for funds may be delegated by the Treasurer; however, the Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that the delegated activities are properly carried out and the reports are accurate. This is a two-year commitment.
Director-At-Large
The Director-at-Large attends quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors, serves as a liaison to the WAI Joint Management Committee, and actively participates in the work of the Society and its committees. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the President. This is a two-year commitment.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee solicits candidates for the SCA Board of Directors and prepares a slate of candidates for offices falling vacant within a given year. The three-member committee is chaired by the Immediate Past President. This is a two-year commitment.
Eligibility and Voting Guidelines
All members in good standing before February 12, 2024, will be eligible to vote. Members who join or renew while the election is open (February 12, 2024, through March 22, 2024), will be sent a personalized link to participate in the election. See the SCA website for membership information.
Contact the chair of the Election Committee, Rebecca Leung, at elections@calarchivists.org with any questions.
Call for Submissions, Spring 2024 Newsletter
January 29, 2024 5:41 AM | SCA Communications and Outreach
Dear Colleagues,
The SCA newsletter is seeking articles and notices about your activities and accomplishments for the Spring issue. The newsletter relies entirely on submissions from community members, so please share your news with the California archives community. We all enjoy reading what members of our community are up to. Submissions on any topics of interest to the California archives community are welcome. We would love to have short news and events items from repositories and archivists throughout the state.
Please review all submission guidelines online.
The deadline for submissions is Sunday, February 25, 2024. Email your submissions to newsletter@calarchivists.org. Be sure to include your repository name, location, and contact information.
For more information, please contact the newsletter editors at newsletter@calarchivists.org.
Thank you for sharing!
Best,
SCA Winter 2024 Newsletter is Online!
January 12, 2024 6:12 AM | SCA Communications and Outreach
CORRECTION:
In David Keller's article, "Tom Connors - An Appreciation," published in the Winter 2024 SCA Newsletter, there was an error on page 6. Michelle Dolbec is the archivist who worked for Hydro Quebec and then with the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC, not Tom Connors.
Please see http://www.calarchivists.org/Publications/SCANewsletter for the corrected version of this article.
We are excited to announce the publication of the Winter 2022 SCA Newsletter!
It is now online at http://www.calarchivists.org/Publications/SCANewsletter.
Thank you to all those who submitted articles and news items for this issue. Another issue will be coming out this spring, so please consider submitting an article or some news about your work. A call for submissions will go out shortly.
Happy reading!
Marissa Friedman, Sue Luftschein, Kelli Roisman, Shaula Stephenson, Sue Tyson and Alison Quirion
SCA Newsletter Team