The public is invited to bring materials, such as letters, photographs, scrapbooks, and home movies, and questions about archives and records, to the Archives Clinic to obtain advice regarding preservation, organization, determining what to keep, and the like. Graduate School of Library and Information Science students from both the Preservation and Conservation Studies Program and the Archival and Records Enterprise Program will work with Austin History Center staff on this public service event.

The UT Society of American Archivists Student Chapter and the Austin History Center co-sponsor this event with the hope that it will be a learning opportunity for students and members of the Austin community alike.

Documents, photos, and home movies represent your family's history. These materials are prone to deterioration over time; however, many kinds of deterioration are preventable. This event provides you with an opportunity to ask questions about deterioration and anything else you are wondering about your personal archival materials.

How do you participate?

Arrive with photos, scrapbooks, and other materials in hand. The Clinic is free and is open to the public October 20th, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free advice and pamphlets will be available.

Volunteering for the Archives Clinic provides you with an opportunity to learn more about preservation and handling of a variety of materials. You will also gain experience in talking to and advising the public; this "experience" is also known as "public service" and is a resume builder.

How do you participate?

SAA members will be speaking in many of your classes and you can volunteer then. If you are unable to sign up at that point, email Amy Braitsch expressing your interest in volunteering.

The only requirements are that you are willing to learn and able to commit two hours of your time. Although no experience beyond that which you have learned in your coursework is required for volunteering, you will find the following sites instructive regarding many of the deterioration issues we may encounter.

Conservation OnLIne (CoOL)
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
ScreenSound Australia: How to Care for your Audio
ScreenSound Australia: How to Care for your Video
Northeast Document Conservation Center: Care of Photographs

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This page last updated 09/28/01
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