As the new year approaches, I thought I would come up with a few professional resolutions for 2012:
1. Learn at least one new technology.
While in graduate school I learned how to use XSLT, but I’d like to brush up on those skills to better understand how to transform an EAD finding aid. I’m in the process of creating a possible workflow to implement EAD in my department. We currently use Cold Fusion to store, manage and display our digital content. And while I’m working with our Digital Initiatives unit to transform these new EAD documents into Cold Fusion files that our system can render, I’d like to have a better handle on XSLT.
2. Teach someone at least one new technology/process.
To create EAD finding aids, we’ll be using Archivists Toolkit. I hope to train at least one staff member to use this tool not only to create finding aids, but also to change the the workflow for accessioning new items.
3. Work on my management skills and style.
I hope to increase my productivity by delegating certain tasks to my assistant and to my student workers. I also hope to express myself in such a way that fosters clear communication.
4. Make recommendations for the implementation of a digital repository for all digital content.
In March, we’ll be launching the first phase of a digitization project. One objective of this project is to determine what digital repository we should be using to share content with the public. I plan to assess our current system as well as similar systems and make a recommendation.
5. Increase department and library social media presence through Facebook and Twitter.
I’m collaborating with staff in other library departments to increase the library’s presence on Facebook and Twitter. I believe in being one voice among several when it comes to generating social media content. I hope that in 2012 the other contributors and I can develop a more formal plan for creating and pushing out content.
6. Evaluate and analyze social media contributions.
As we continue to generate content, I hope to share data generated by Facebook and Twitter to evaluate our social media success during our planning sessions that take place about every 3 months.
7. Find new opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, faculty and campus departments.
I find it rewarding to work with people outside of my department. I enjoy learning what faculty members are working on and how what I do may help them. I also think it’s important that the archives not become a silo within an institution.
8. Continue my own research.
As a trained historian, I’d like to continue my own research this year. I started a project using the Susan B. Anthony Papers housed at my repository and hope to begin writing an article this coming summer based on my research.
9. Submit an article on a current digitization project to American Archivist, or a similar trade publication.
As we complete the first phase of our digitization project, I’d like to share the workflow and results of our project with the archival community. In March, over 120 letters from the Post Family Papers will be made public. Undergraduates have transcribed each letter and in the next two months will be scanning each page. We’re uploading our content into Omeka. The Post Family Papers offers the public a glimpse into nineteenth century life and the opportunity to examine national social movements and trends through one family. I think it’s important to share different digitization projects and processes with the community so we all have an opportunity to learn as we explore this new aspect of our profession.
As 2012 continues, I will be updating you on my progress with these resolutions. So stay tuned!
Happy New Year!