Blog and Newsletter

The Association of Maine Archives and Museums publishes quarterly print newsletter that is sent out to members in February, May, August, and November. We also maintain the blog on this page for members to share their announcements more immediately.

Quarterly Print Newsletter

Submissions: If you are a member interested in submitting articles, dispatches, opportunities, and/or photos to the print newsletter, please review these guideline and deadlines.

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Read now: Click here to view the current and past issues of the print newsletter (members-only; log in first).

News Blog

Members and non-members of MAM may post news of interest to the field using the blog below. To post an event, see the event listings. To post a job or internship opportunity, see the job/internship board. MAM reserves the right to edit or reject postings as it deems appropriate. This service is free to members; non-members are charged $20.

Posts to this news blog are automatically shared to the MAM Facebook page to get even more exposure!

MEMBERS: Log in, then click "Add Post." If you have trouble logging in, email info@mainemuseums.org.

NON-MEMBERS: To submit your bulletin board post, please email info@mainemuseums.org.

  • 21 Sep 2012 9:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Board Boot Camp
    Belfast - Hutchinson Center
    October 17, 2012
    8 am - 4:30 pm

    "I'm very excited about what I've learned today. Some of it will be applied in less than 4 hours!"--2011 Board Boot Camp Participant

    Register on-line today!

    Since last year, 105 Board Members have benefited from taking our Board Boot Camp program, and like the participant above, went back to their organizations with a renewed sense of purpose and knowledge to help their boards become better.

    Nonprofit boards need to strengthen their skills and enhance board engagement and leadership to adapt to increasing demands in today's rapidly changing environment. Developed by the Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), Board Boot Camp has been designed to provide nonprofit board members with practical information, resources, tools and practices that can help the nonprofits they serve accomplish their mission-related goals more effectively.

    Please join us on October 17, 2012 at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast for the next Board Boot Camp. There you will learn new skills, gather practical ideas, and make new connections to help enhance your board's success.

    The event will include:

    • Beginner and advanced training session tracks
    • Networking and peer-learning opportunities

    When: October 17, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

    Where: The University of Maine's Hutchinson Center in Belfast

    Cost: $90-MANP Members, $165-Non-members

    Register on-line today!

    If you are unable to attend this session of Board Boot Camp, check out our blog for a full listing of additional resources for board members including our Board Basics and Keys to Successful Board Recruitment Handbooks.

    We look forward to seeing you there, and we hope you will encourage your other board members to join us, too!
  • 20 Sep 2012 4:23 PM | Anonymous member
    Do you have archival materials that need to be re-housed in appropriate folders and boxes? Oversized materials that really should be in map cases? An archival collection that needs to be catalogued? Are you a non-profit organization? If yes, apply for a Historical Records Collections grant this year! For small projects (up to $1000), there are quarterly deadlines. For projects between $1000 and $2500, the postmark deadline is Monday, OCTOBER 1.

    The application forms are available on our Web page:

    http://www.state.me.us/sos/arc/mhrab/grants.html

    The categories include
    1) Basic Projects: Up to $1,000; rolling deadline through Sept. 30. After that, deadlines are Nov. 1, Feb. 1, May 1, August 1.
    2) Major Projects: $1,000 to $2,500; deadline October 1, 2012
    3) Odiorne Fund for Archeological/ Archival Projects

    Questions?  Contact Janet Roberts, Maine State Archives: 207-287-5791 / janet.roberts@maine.gov
  • 19 Sep 2012 7:19 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    In response to the recent announcement regarding the closure of Georgia State Archives, the Board of Directors of Maine Archives and Museums, at the bequest of the Society of American Archivists Issues and Advocacy Steering Committee, has sent a letter of support to Georgia Governor Nathan Deal urging him “to act, and/or encourage action by others, to maintain public access to Georgia’s state archives.” The letter detailed the importance of Georgia’s state archives as the repository of public records such as Superior Court minutes, records of deeds, mortgages, marriages, and deaths, wills, military discharge records, Georgia colonial records, proceedings of the General Assembly and office of the governor, “all of which document the doing of the people’s business and the contributions of the men and women of Georgia from earliest times,” and highlighted the importance of public access to these records. Governor Deal is set to sign a proclamation declaring October to be Georgia Archives Month, and there will be a photo shoot with Georgia archivists on Wednesday to celebrate. The letter from Maine Archives and Museums will be one of many presented to the Governor at this event.
  • 18 Sep 2012 11:23 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    The Owls Head Transportation Museum seeks an inspiring, bold, innovative and collaborative leader with a passion for people, technology, arts and education to serve as its next Executive Director. The successful candidate will exhibit experience in areas of development, cultivation, human resource management, public relations and marketing, fiscal management, event and program design and implementation, community relations and a strong comprehension of the power and opportunities afforded by education, collaboration and community participation and interaction. The successful candidate is likely to have studied non-profit management, though the museum is open to any area of education which, when combined with relevant work experience, has prepared the candidate for this role. Knowledge of transportation technology is a plus. A complete job description may be viewed at www.owlshead.org. Cover letters and resumes may be forwarded to: Chandra Robert, Administrative Assistant to the Search Committee, PO Box 277, Owls Head, Maine 04854 or email cr@ohtm.org. Please put Executive Director in subject line. The Owls Head Transportation Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • 18 Sep 2012 12:39 PM | Anonymous member

    NOTE: The following action alert, recently e-mailed to like-minded organizations nationwide by a group representing the Georgia Archives, is posted by MAM as an information service to its members. The recommendations below do not necessarily reflect MAM's viewpoint. MAM members may follow up or respond on an individual basis as they see fit.

    ACTION ALERT: SAVE THE GEORGIA ARCHIVES!

    Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has announced that the Georgia Archives will be CLOSED to all public access beginning November 1, 2012.  He cites as reason the requirement for a 3 % budget reduction for all state agencies.   Secretary Kemp has chosen to take the required cut of $750,000 entirely and only from the State Archives.   In addition to the elimination of public access, staff reductions concerning the ten remaining staff are planned and will also be announced soon.

    This action further cripples an institution that was among the first state archives established (1918), has won many awards for its programs and state-of-the-art archival facility, and has been a respected leader in archives, government records programs, and research use.  Over the past decade, however, the Georgia Archives has been eviscerated by regular budget cuts, reductions in staff and reductions in public hours to 2 days a week.   Now Secretary Kemp wants to eliminate even those few hours of access for Georgia’s citizens, making Georgia Archives the only state archives without public access hours.

    Tell the Governor, the Secretary of State and the Georgia Legislature to reverse this devastating decision.  Write, call or visit and ask them to:

    Restore a minimum of $1 million to the Georgia Archives budget to return its operations to 5 days a week of public access hours and eliminate projected staff reductions.  

    Reverse the Secretary of State’s proposed budget cuts to the Archives by November 1 to ensure uninterrupted service to the public.

    When you write/call or visit, focus on a few of the points below.   Put this in your own words, and use your own examples, particularly if you are a citizen of Georgia:

    Points to make in letters/phone calls or visits: 

    • 1.       The Secretary of State was directed to reduce his budget expenditures by 3%.  The entire sum needed to accomplish that has been taken from the Archives budget alone and will result in the termination of all public hours.   The proposed “access by appointment…limited based on the schedule of the remaining employees” effectively denies access based on “reasonable time and place” for inspection of public records as required by Georgia law.
    • 2.       Points to make regarding the importance of access to government records for accountability and legal purposes:
    • ·         This deprives citizens of regular and predictable access, as mandated in the Georgia Records Act , Title 50, Chapter 18, Article 4, section 70(b) of the Georgia Annotated Code that all public records “shall be open for a personal inspection by any citizen of this state at a reasonable time and place, and those in charge of such records shall not refuse this privilege to any citizen.”
    • ·         It is contrary to the practice of government transparency by depriving citizens of predictable and ready access to the records that are essential to providing evidence of government accountability.
    • ·         It deprives citizens, as well as Georgia’s own government, of access to records needed to support due process of law.   The Georgia Archives holdings have been used for a range of court cases including land claims, boundary disputes, utility right-of-way, and claims against state agencies.
    • ·         Access to records is essential to avoid costly litigation that will result if records cannot be located or accessed.

    • 3.       Points to make regarding the importance of access to government records for research
    • purposes:
    • ·         As the Civil War Sesquicentennial begins, researchers need access to the historical record in the Georgia Archives to provide accurate, factual evidence of that experience.  Many of Georgia’s governmental records were destroyed during Sherman’s March;  closing the Archives similarly deprives Georgians of access to their heritageundefinedbut this time the fault does not lie with an invading army, but with Georgia officials themselves.
    • ·         The Georgia Archives holds records actively sought by genealogists and family historians; in particular, they provide essential evidence for African-American history and genealogical research not available in many private historical collections.
    • ·         The Georgia Archives has been an essential resource for environmental research and activities including efforts to reintroduce the American chestnut tree in the state and issues relating to pollution.
    • ·         The Georgia Archives has been the site of research for television and films, including the popular NBC series “Who Do You Think You Are” segments with Paula Deen and Spike Lee, as well as Emmy award-winner Ben Loeterman’s documentary “People v. Leo Frank.”
    •  
    •  
    • Governor Nathan Deal
    • Address for mail:
      206 Washington Street
      Suite 203, State Capitol
      Atlanta, GA 30334
    • Phone:404-656-1776
    • Fax:404-657-7332
    • Email – “contact us”  form
    • http://gov.georgia.gov/contact-us-0
    •  
    • Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle
    • Address for mail:
    • 240 State Capitol 
      Atlanta, GA 30334 
      TEL: (404) 656-5030 
      FAX: (404) 656-6739
    • http://ltgov.georgia.gov/contact-lt-governor
    •  
    • Secretary of State Brian Kemp
    • Executive Offices:
      214 State Capitol
      Atlanta, GA 30334
      Phone: 404-656-2881
      Fax: 404-656-0513
    •  
    • ·         Individual Georgia legislators:   find specific legislators via Society of Georgia Archivists site:    http://soga.org/involvement/legislative

    If you’ve signed an online petition, that’s helpful, but direct contact is even more effective.   For Georgians, a visit to your local legislator will have even more impact.   There has been a great deal of attention on radio, newspapers, television and the Internet.    In a democracy, however, nothing speaks to the governor or elected officials like direct contact from individuals.   Speak up for the Georgia Archives.    Write, call or plan a visit today!

    Please send copies of your letter, information on contacts, or any questions to:

    Kaye Lanning Minchew:   kaye@trouparchives.org

  • 13 Sep 2012 5:03 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley, Maine was incorporated in 1960 to educate the public about the Maine forest and its many products, both past and present.  It is the mission of this outdoor museum to show the importance of the forest to the economic viability of the State of Maine. Maine’s logging past and its connection to the present and future are shown through educational programming in many different formats.

     Job Description for Executive Director

    Description

    Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is charged with carrying out all Maine Forest and Logging Museum (MFLM) mission and programs and will oversee its operation. The Executive Director must be a pragmatic leader committed to a high level of excellence. The Executive Director must be a results-oriented individual, able to carry projects through from inception to completion.  He/She must be able to build financial and leadership support, develop long-range strategies and vision, and develop programs which promote the MFLM and Leonard’s Mills to ensure its lasting success.

     

    Responsibilities

    Fundraising (Estimated time 40%): A majority of the Executive Director’s time will be spent on securing financial support for the organization and its programs and projects.  Working with the Board and other volunteers, the Executive Director will participate in the cultivation and solicitation of individual, corporate, and foundation support as well as seek out grant opportunities as they arise to support MFLM.  This effort must include finding new sources of capital in order to further the museum’s mission.

     

    Program Management (Estimated time 30%): Develop short-term and long-term strategic plans for the MFLM that support the Mission and objectives of the organization. Oversee and engage in the planning, organizing, and operation of events – both onsite and offsite as appropriate.  With the assistance of key volunteers, ensure that each event fits the mission of the MFLM and that each is run smoothly and is promoted adequately. Work with existing Board and volunteers to recruit more volunteers to support programs at site and throughout the year.

    Operate as the lead contact on potential additions to the MFLM Collections to ensure donations fit the mission and there is a clear use, potential use, or display/storage capacity to ensure the value to the MFLM will not be diminished over time.

    Oversee and engage in the daily needs of the organization so that it runs smoothly and encourages continued donor and member support

     

    Communications and Public Relations (Estimated time 15%):  The Executive Director will serve as the “public face” of the organization at events, with donors, and with the media in order to promote the MFLM and its programs. In addition He/She will oversee and engage in the creation of promotional materials including MFLM newsletters, press releases, and enhancing MFLM’s web presence.  In addition, the Executive Director will directly oversee and manage all MFLM employees, including the Site Manager and Caretakers, and serve as a conduit to the Board for those employees.

     

    Budget and Finance (Estimated time 15%): The Executive Director will work closely with the Board President, Treasurer, and Budget and Finance Committee to develop organizational and program-specific budgets and ensure the organization operates prudently within those budgets.

     

    Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé and two letters of recommendations to the following email address by October 8, 2012: 

    sdrobinson@prentissandcarlisle.com


     

  • 13 Sep 2012 9:03 AM | Anonymous member
    Maine Historical Society and Maine State Library, in partnership with Maine Archives and Museums, are offering three 21st Century Skills Workshops for library and historical society personnel during the month of October:

    Tuesday, October 16 at Gray Public Library
    Wednesday, October 17 at Pittsfield Public Library
    Thursday, October 18 at Carabbassett Valley Public Library

    These FREE half-day workshops introduce attendees to the opportunities that local history, technology, and Maine Memory Network provide to develop professional skills, increase the capacity of their institutions, engage their communities, and deepen collaboration with historical societies, local schools, and other community organizations. The workshop includes an in-depth, interactive demonstration of Maine Memory Network and its many search tools and content offerings.

    Registration is required. For more details and downloadable registration forms, visit www.mainememory.net/training or call Larissa Vigue Picard, MHS Community Partnership Coordinator, at 774-1822 x215. Registration deadline is three business days prior to the workshop.
  • 12 Sep 2012 5:08 PM | Anonymous member
    NEDCC's 2012 FALL PRESERVATION WORKSHOPS

    Full-day, in-person preservation training at NEDCC to help you care for both your physical and digital collections.

    October 17 - NEW! WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? - Presentation and Use of Digital Collections
    October 18 - NEW! SUSTAINING DIGITAL COLLECTIONS - Digital Curation and Preservation
    October 23 - BASIC PAPER REPAIR
    October 24 - IDENTIFICATION AND CARE OF PRINTS
    October 25 - INTERMEDIATE BOOK REPAIR

    For complete course information and to register: http://bit.ly/FallW12
  • 06 Sep 2012 9:47 AM | Anonymous member
    The South Portland Public Library is currently seeking a patron-centered, dynamic and fun individual to join its team as a 20 hour a week Library Aide. The Library Aide works within the Circulation Services department, providing front-line services to library visitors at one of Maine's busiest libraries.

    The incumbent participates in all areas of Circulation Services, including circulation desk activities, interlibrary loan, public computer use, reference services, collection maintenance and general library assistance. This position is based out of our main library location, but may involve work hours at our branch location as well.

     Work schedule will include evenings and weekend hours. The selected candidates must have the ability to demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills and communicate effectively both written and verbally.

     To qualify for consideration, applicants must have a Bachelor's degree and previous library and/or other related service experience. Excellent computer skills, the ability to learn new systems and applications and a fun, innovative attitude is a must. The position starts at $13.57 per hour.

     Job description available at: http://southportlandlibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Library-Aide-description-090512.pdf

     Application deadline: September 14, 2012. Submit résumé with cover letter to: kdavis@southportland.org
  • 04 Sep 2012 10:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Newport Cultural Center is pleased to announce the publication of its book, Newport, part of Arcadia’s “Images of America” series. The book was written by the center’s executive director, Leigh Hallett. All proceeds benefit the NCC, a nonprofit public library, historical society museum, and cultural event center.

                Newport depicts the history of the town through vintage photos. Sebasticook Lake is featured prominently throughout the book, as are images of the town’s neighborhoods and businesses. The town emerged from its frontier days to become an important railroad junction, and then a resort destination, so the book also offers images illustrating that history, as well as

    chapters about the Newport’s centennial and sesquicentennial celebrations. The town of Newport will be celebrating its bicentennial in 2014.

                The majority of the photos in the book are from the collection of the Newport Cultural Center, but the Penobscot Marine Museum and Maine Department of Transportation also contributed many significant images, as did individuals from the community.

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Maine Archives and Museums

P.O. Box 95, Portland, Maine 04112

info@mainemuseums.org 


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