| SHRAB Minutes - February 2, 2006 |
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STATE HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD Guy Louis Rocha, State Coordinator, called the meeting to order at 10:32 am at the Henderson City Hall, Valley View Room. Board members present: Guy Louis Rocha, Nevada State Library and Archives; Shayne Del Cohen, Consultant; Victoria Ford, UNR Cooperative Extension; Sabrina Mercadante, City of Henderson; Peter Michel, UNLV Special Collections; David Millman, Nevada State Museum and Historical Society; James C. Smith, Deputy Attorney General; Jacque Sundstrand, UNR Special Collections. Absent: Sara Jones, Nevada State Library and Archives; Hal Rothman, UNLV History Department. Staff Present: Jeffrey Kintop, Nevada State Library and Archives; Janice Argentiero, Nevada State Library and Archives. Guests: Claytee D. White, UNLV History Research Center; Patricia Van Betten, Blue Diamond History Committee. Jeff Kintop made a correction to Item # 5 on the agenda. He noted that it is not the Midas History Project; it is the Jarbidge History Project. Mr. Rocha informed the board that Hal Rothman will not be attending. Mr. Michel informed the board that Hal Rothman has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which is a progressive neuromuscular disease, and will be submitting his resignation to the Governor. Mr. Rocha added that he may not fill this vacancy between now and the end of the fiscal year which is June 30, 2006. This is when Hal’s term as a board member will be up for reappointment. He noted that our thoughts and prayers are with Hal. Mr. Rocha then asked for introductions from the SHRAB members and the guests attending the meeting. Action Item #1 – Approve June 1st, 2005 Meeting Minutes: Mr. Rocha asked the board to approve the minutes. Mr. Kintop stated that there were two sets of the last minutes. The differences were in the attachments. One set had the attachments incorporated into the minutes; the other set viewed them separately. The set with the attachments viewed separately will be the official set of minutes when approved. Mr. Rocha asked for the approval of the June 1st minutes. Ms. Del Cohen moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Michel seconded the motion. Ms. Sundstrand changed the wording on page 3 to read (‘or directory’ in place ‘of directory “) and on page 4 to read (“gain, not again”). Mr. Kintop will make the minute changes. Mr. Rocha asked for acceptance of the minutes with changes. All were in favor, none opposed. The minutes of the June 1st, 2005 with changes were approved. Item # 3 Approve Meeting Minutes from October 5, 2005: Mr. Rocha asked for approval of the October 5, 2005 minutes. Peter Michel moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Del Cohen seconded the motion. By acclamation the board approved the minutes of October 5, 2005. INFORMATION ITEMS: Item #4 - Blue Diamond History Project, Patricia Van Betten: Patricia van Betten of the Blue Diamond History Project explained her project to the SHRAB. She explained the area was initially called Cottonwood Springs. It became a stagecoach stop and campsite for John C. Fremont and Kit Carson. The name eventually evolved to Blue Diamond Springs, then Blue Diamond. Listed below are some of the historical projects the Blue Diamond History Project is involved in:
The “Adobe,” a structure with a rich history was built there around 1860. It is now simply a remnant of what it once was and they are very interested in trying to preserve what is left of this structure. One of the goals is to pull together the history of the Adobe and have a waterproof shed where photos and information of this structure can be protected. A replica of the original structure is also a possibility. They are interviewing old timers and widows of miners and collecting an oral history of the Adobe. She explained that the Blue Diamond History Project is seeking the opportunity for grant money or resources to help with the Blue Diamond Historical / Preservation Project. Mr. Millman told her that with the sale of the Las Vegas Centennial license plates, the Historic Preservation Society in Las Vegas has funds set aside for small grants to local, historical groups. He said he was not sure if Blue Diamond would qualify, but it is worth asking for. These funds will be available in a couple of months. Mr. Michel announced that the rescue of the Blue Diamond mining records was a remarkable effort. It shows an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm from this community and their own history. Mr. Rocha thanked the guests for their presentation and time. Item #5 Jarbidge History Project - Jeff Kintop: Mr. Kintop reported that he was asked to review a proposal to the Nevada Humanities Committee for the Jarbidge History Project. He explained that the Jarbidge History Project was a grant proposal written by Mary Greenfield, a doctoral student at Yale, who provided methodology and sound justification for this project. They located the Elkoro Mining Company records that were hidden in a cave. He said that there would not be a Jarbidge without the Elkoro Mining Company since it built the town. The history students will process, microfilm and image these records and they want to do an oral history program by finding the descendants of this mining town. Other people working on the project included: Jacki Alexander of the Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko; Kathryn Hampton and Jim Jenks of Helena, Mont., and Carrie Townley Porter of Reno. He said the project was also seeking funds from the E.L. Cord Foundation and the Jon Ben Snow Memorial Trust totaling nearly $18,000. Ms. Sundstrand suggested that the perhaps SHRAB should also be working closely with the Nevada Humanities Committee and Nevada Historic Preservation Office because they also have small mini-grants available. Mr. Kintop continued discussion on Nevada’s oral history projects. University of Nevada Oral History Program Director Tom King has asked for continuing education money to hold a series of oral history projects throughout the state. He also suggested that perhaps at another meeting SHRAB should invite the Humanities Committee and others so Board members can be aware of different projects. Mr. Rocha stated that he was contacted by a local city official from Fernley regarding an oral history project and that Fernley has chosen this year as their 100th anniversary. They are planning to interview long time residents and veterans as an oral history project. Ms. Ford added that University Press will be publishing a book this fall on mining history and the Civilian Conservation Corps in Nevada. It will contain some of the first CCC camps. Mr. Michel mentioned that there is another large oral history project regarding the Nevada Test Site. Much of the money for this project came from federal appropriated money. There are several oral history projects associated with the U.S. Department of Energy, which has its own separate archives in Las Vegas. Mr. Rocha contributed that Mr. James “Sailor” Ryan, a labor leader, who organized the union and strikes at the Nevada Test Sites, was interviewed by Gwen Clancy. He is probably the principal living icon of organized labor. Information item # 6 Jeff Kintop: Mr. Kintop reported that his new class, “Introduction to Archives,” was being offered at Great Basin College on-line. He said there were 10 to 12 students that have registered for this class. The classes have started and it looks like it will work out well. It was offered as a library class LIB 299 for one credit, and will take approximately 15 hours to go through the material. He also said the American Association for State and Local History offers the same class on-line, but it is not accredited. Shane Del Cohen added that Pahrump is now part of the Great Basin College service area and mentioned that students do not have to be enrolled at Great Basin to take this class. Jeff Kintop mentioned that archival classes have been offered before. He has taught one-credit classes under Historic Preservation numbers, as an undergraduate and graduate course. The class, “Treasures of State Archives”, teaches what records the State Archives has and how they are preserved. He also said there was once a class taught through the University of Nevada, Reno’s Anthropology Continuing Education Department because of a surge of interest in preserving archeological finds. The Board took a 10 minute break and will reconvene at 12:02pm. Action Item # 7 Strategic Planning Session, Jeff Kintop: There was a group discussion on Nevada’s Documentary Heritage Strategic Plan. Mr. Kintop said he wanted SHRAB members to review the goals and objectives for the plan to determine which ones are still current and draft new ones if needed. The Board reviewed each goal and objective in order, changing the wording or eliminating phrases entirely through discussion and consensus. Changes to Goal 1: “Nevada shall achieve Best Practices in Record Keeping” Language was updated with changes to Objectives 1.1, Objective 1.2, Objectives 1.3, Objective 1.4 and Objective 1.5. They read as follows:
Goal 1: Nevada shall achieve Best Practices in Record Keeping. Objective 1.1: Create partnerships with both the public and private sectors to develop a sense of shared responsibility for records, and to foster the highest possible standards for their care. Objective 1.2: Ensure uniform application of Nevada’s Open Records laws to provide access to public records. Objective 1.3: Encourage the development and/or expansion of training curricula for courses in archives and records management and information technology. Insure that courses include information and training in preservation and disaster preparedness. Objective 1.4: Recommend legislation for State Records Committee to include representatives from county and local governments and expand the committee’s responsibilities to review and approve local government records schedules. Objective 1.5: Encourage the Regents and administration of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Changes to Goal 2: “Nevada shall achieve Best Practices in Electronic Record Keeping”. Language was updated on Objective 2.1. Jeff Kintop recommended that NSLA needs to do a feasibility study on establishing an electronic digital archives. Jeff Kintop informed SHRAB that 500 copies of the booklet Legal Requirements for Nevada’s Public Electronic Records had been distributed. Mr. Kintop said that NSLA has had a request by the City of Las Vegas, the Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County to participate in studies for shared electronic records infrastructure. He asked if NSLA is establishing a digital archive for the state and does it have an obligation to share this information with local government? Objective 2.2 and 2.3 are eliminated. The new language reads:
Goal 2: Nevada shall achieve Best Practices in Electronic Record Keeping. Objective 2.1: Facilitate identification, description, protection, preservation, migration, and improved access to electronic records scheduled as permanent. Objective 2.2: Recommend that NSLA do a feasibility study on the needs to and issues to establish a Digital Archives for the state and local governments. Objective 2.3: Implement Objectives 2.1 and 2.2. SHRAB broke for lunch at 12:55pm and reconvened at 1:32pm. Action Item # 7 continued: Changes to Goal 3: “Nevada’s people and governments will share responsibility to preserve and make our unique documentary heritage available”. This sentence was deleted by SHRAB. Objective 3.1: Language is updated. Objective 3.2: Language is updated. Objective 3.3: Language is updated. Objective 3.4: Language is updated. The revised language says: Goal 3: Nevada’s people and governments will share responsibility to preserve and make our unique documentary heritage available. Objective 3.1: Encourage the identification, collection, donation, preservation, and protection of records of individuals, businesses, and religious organizations. Objective 3.2: Encourage the use of grant opportunities and available resources to stimulate local and regional collection and preservation of, and access to essential documentary materials. Objective 3.3: Collaborate with and advise other state, local, tribal and private organizations to strengthen record keeping policies and programs and improve facilities. Objective 3.4: Improve access to records statewide by encouraging the creation of traditional finding aids and directories, as well as through the wider use of standard on-line descriptions. Changes to Goal 4: Protecting Nevada’s Documentary Heritage. (Goal 4 language is changed) Objective 4.4: Language is updated. Changes read as follows: Goal 4: Foster and support programs to protect Nevada’s shared documentary heritage from disasters, deterioration, and neglect. Objective 4.1: Obtain state/federal funding for grant/regrant programs to those archives and records programs in greatest need of technical assistance and training. Objective 4.2: Institute a program of regularly scheduled workshops or presentations at meetings of related professional organizations. Objective 4.3: Encourage development, staffing, and training of disaster-response teams statewide. Objective 4.4: Improve knowledge of and access to information about preservation and disaster preparedness. Changes to Goal 5: Mobilizing collective resources of SHRAB, DMLA, and Constituent Organizations. (Language is updated). Objective 5.1: Language is updated. Objective 5.2: Language is updated. Objective 5.3: deleted. Revised language of Goal 5: Goal 5: Mobilizing collective funding resources to support Documentary Heritage Programs. Work to create an affirming attitude to fulfill its goals and objectives. Board members will work to create the optimum funding base from government and private sources to support these programs. Objective 5.1: Obtain a secure, appropriate funding base for staff and programs of SHRAB. Objective 5.2: Set priorities for programmatic support and initiatives and schedule regular review of achievements. Action Item # 7 is completed. Action Item # 8: The SHRAB discussed submitting an operating grant to the Commission by the March 1st submission date. Jeff Kintop asked for guidance and suggestions for future projects. Workshops, printing, and travel expenses were discussed and marketing ideas for SHRAB for 2006-07 year. Board members decided they wanted to support the Board’s operations and use some of the funds to support worthy applicants for scholarships or heritage projects. Some suggestions for mini and regrants included:
Workshops for government and others, north and south Action Item #9: Mr. Rocha discussed a possible meeting with either Washington or California SHRAB and mentioned Utah as another possibility. Another meeting with Washington SHRAB is a possibility and could coincide with the visit to the Washington State Digital Library in Cheney, Washington on June 7th. . It would probably be a two day meeting and Mr. Kintop will work out the details. Public Comment: Shane Del Cohen made a presentation on Ourstory, a program whose purpose was protecting and preserving the rich African American Heritage of North Nevada. She announced that the program had a calendar coming out and passed a copy to the SHRAB members to view. Informational Item: Mr. Rocha announced that the Council of State Archivists (CoSA) will be having a joint meeting with National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA) and the Society of American Archivists (SAA) in Washington D.C. this August. It will bring the principle players in the archival profession together. He said he had been working with Kathleen Roe, the President of CoSA to convince these players that the R. Franklin Jamison Archival Advocacy Award should be presented to Senator Harry Reid. It is a special award for a person outside the archival profession, who supports the profession. Next meeting will be in June. We will try to schedule a SHRAB meeting in Washington State. Meeting is adjourned at 2:50pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
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