Awesome Resources—Genealogy and Local History Services Worldwide in the 21st Century

This preconference will feature presentations and discussions on technologies and strategies for finding, saving and presenting records, family histories and living memory in the twenty-first century and how these resources are made available worldwide. Come for one day of interactive presentations and stay for the second day of unconference sessions and tours if your schedule permits.

International organizations will discuss their current efforts, technologies, and resources; state and regional organizations will demonstrate successful projects; and a second group of offerings will highlight the importance of story and interviewing techniques for preserving life stories. A theme woven through this preconference is recognizing and building virtual information networks to both preserve and present records, stories, and living memory.

This preconference is free for attendees. The event is being underwritten by the Allen County Public Library of Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.

Schedule

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

* NOTE: The sessions marked with an asterisk have been approved for LEUs by the Indiana State Library.

8A—Registration and Networking. Coffee, tea, juice and bagels will be provided.

8:45A—Welcome
- ILFA representatives and/or Chair of the Genealogy & Local History Committee
- Allen County Public Library Director
- Senior Manager of Special Collections
- Review of Agenda
- Local Area Information

21st Century Information Preservation, Presentation, and Network

9:00A to 10:00A—Presentation Title: "FamilySearch Resources for You and Your Library"*
Presenter: Cherie Bush, Deputy Chief Genealogical Officer
Description: FamilySearch (FamilySearch.org) provides billions of records and a specialized FamilySearch Wiki that assists reference librarians address family history research questions worldwide. Learn the breadth and depth of the resources available to librarians and how you can add your knowledge content to the world's largest reference database.

10:15A to 11:15A—Presentation Title: "The 21st Century Alexandrian Library: Why What We are Building Together is So Important for Information & Preservation"*
Presenter: Kelly Ransom, Director of the Internet Archive's Books Group
Description: Internet Archive (Archive.org), founded by Brewster Kahle, has an expansive digitization program. Learn about Internet Archive’s digitizing and preservation strategies and why it is critical for individuals and organizations worldwide to participate. Legacy initiatives will be described as well as new endeavors.

11:30A to 12:30P—Presentation Title: "Building for the 21st Century: The Indiana Archives"*
Presenter: Jim Corridan, Indiana State Archivist
Description: Planning and building a twenty-first century state archives requires working successfully with a number of governmental agencies, citizen groups, and educational organizations while focusing on best practices for archiving and accessing textual as well as digital records. Best practices and proven strategies will be discussed. (www.in.gov/iara)

12:30P to 1:30P—Lunch. The attendees are on their own for lunch, choosing from area restaurants. It is a chance to mingle and network with participants.

1:45P to 2:45P—Presentation: "Building and Sustaining a Statewide Digital Resource: Seeking Michigan"*
Presenter: Kris Rzepczynski, Senior Reference Archivist
Description: Looking at Seeking Michigan (www.seekingmichigan.org) as an example, this program will explore how to construct, develop, and maintain a digital archive, as well as collection prioritization, evaluation of researchers’ expectations, and collaboration. The online portal for the Archives of Michigan, Seeking Michigan, offers free access to a wide array of rich statewide content, including death certificates, land surveyors’ notes, historical maps, Civil War records, main street images, and much more.

The Power of Story & the Importance of Preserving Living Memory

3:00P to 4:00P—Presentation: "Storytelling as a Way of Preserving Living Memory"
Presenter: Julia Meek, a radio host, graphic artist, and community volunteer, who has contributed to NIPR both on- and off-air for over thirty years. She is currently co-producer and host of Folktales, co-coordinator and host of "Meet the Music."
Description: Presentation will focus on how to best work with diverse individuals to encourage storytelling as a means of preserving living memory. Some consideration will be given to why such activities are important.

4:15P to 5:15P—Presentation: "The Importance and Power of Story" including a demonstration of storytelling
Presenter: Condra Ridley, educator, librarian and professional storyteller. Condra has engaged children and adults alike with her stories
Description: Presentation will demonstrate how living history and lore can be woven into story.

5:30P to 7P—Dinner. The attendees are on their own for dinner, choosing from area restaurants. It is another opportunity to network with colleagues who are attending.

7:15P to 8:15P—In-the-Round Discussion of the Great Opportunities & Critical challenges Facing Archives of Local and Family History and How to Better Build Virtual Information Networks

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Unconference Day—The specific topics discussed will be driven by the attendees and what they (1) identified on Wednesday as areas of interest or areas needing further exploration, and (2) contemporary "hot topics" and/or topics suggested by presenters and discussion starters.

9A to 9:30A—Reviewing Wednesday sessions to determine unconference sessions.

9:30A to 10:15A—Unconference Session One

10:30A to 11:15A—Unconference Session Two

11:30A to 12:15P—Unconference Session Three and/or Tour of the scanning operations at the Allen County Public Library run by FamilySearch and Internet Archive

12:15P to 1:30P—Lunch. The attendees are on their own for lunch, choosing from area restaurants. It is a chance to mingle and network with participants.

1:30P to 2:15P—Action items, take-aways, and wrap-up.

2:30P to 3:15P—Tour of the Special Collections Division of the Allen County Public Library. End of preconference.

Discover why The Genealogy Center is a destination for many interested in learning more about family history:

 

Learn how to begin your search at The Genealogy Center: