About the Annual General Meeting 2013

Scanning the Horizon

The Key System and Berkeley sign at San Pablo Avenue and University Avenue.
Courtesy of the Berkeley Public Library

Our theme, “Scanning the Horizon,” invites you to not only gaze at the Golden Gate views afforded by our bay front location, but also to look ahead at the world of archives and historical research in the 21st century. The program will include many sessions that take stock of the impact on archives resulting from digital technology, online primary resources, and trends in digital humanities. There will be still more offerings addressing traditional processing, reference, public outreach, and grant management, among many other engaging topics. When you are not focusing on professional issues and networking with colleagues, there are also many local destinations to enrich your conference experience.

Situated on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, exactly opposite the Golden Gate, Berkeley is a city of diversity, history and culture. Although it is known primarily for being the home of the original campus of the University of California, both the city and its immediate environs offer much more. The city’s thriving cultural scene is home to hundreds of arts organizations, galleries, artists and performers. The Downtown Berkeley Arts District is host to the nationally- recognized Berkeley Repertory and Aurora Theaters. The Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse showcases traditional music, and the Jazz School offer concerts year round. Additionally, the university plays host to the Berkeley Art Museum, the Pacific Film Archives, the diverse programming provided by Cal Performances, and several museums. 

Berkeley is recognized as the birthplace of California Cuisine, and is one of the  early adopters of the locavore movement, thanks in part to resident chef Alice Waters. While you’re here, consider having lunch at the Chez Panisse café, or splurge on dinner at Chez Panisse restaurant (which starts taking reservations one month ahead) in Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto. You might also enjoy visiting the Thursday or Saturday farmers market. Grab a bite of Indian, Afghani, Italian, Japanese, German, Pakistani or Mexican food in the International District, located at the intersection of University and San Pablo Avenues. You can also meet a group of your colleagues downtown at Gather for an organic cocktail or enjoy a beer at one of the resident breweries (Jupiter, Triple Rock and Pyramid). Within walking distance or a short bus ride from the hotel, you will find Berkeley’s Fourth Street shopping district, home to a variety of appealing boutiques, unique specialty stores, excellent dining opportunities and coffee spots.

Interested in exploring beyond the borders of Berkeley? You don’t even have to cross the bay to experience a vibrant urban scene. Oakland Museum of California houses art, history and natural history exhibits in a beautiful setting overlooking Lake Merritt. Yoshi’s, a world-famous jazz club, is located in Jack London Square. Oakland food options range from fine dining to barbecue, and  ethnic restaurants include everything from Burmese to Ethiopian and Central American to dim sum.

Outdoor adventures and historical sites also abound in the East Bay. The conference hotel is close to several walking and bike paths, where you can explore shoreline parks and the Albany Bulb. Head north to visit the newly-dedicated Visitor Education Center at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. You can also tour the S.S. Red Oak Victory, the only ship built in the Kaiser Richmond shipyards that is being restored.

The Local Arrangements Committee is busy organizing repository tours and encourages you to come early and stay late to explore all that the East Bay has to offer! And if you run out of things to see and do, there's always that little city, San Francisco, just across the bay.