Melinda McMartin Isler Ferris State University MAC Meeting, April 2009

AT as a key to an expansion of the work force Why AT? Background of Ferris State University Archives AT- Phase 1, a stand alone installation AT- Phase 2, networked installation Full implementation of AT, training and reaction by staff (particularly the non-archivists)

Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program/ Special Collections First full-time University Archivist hired in September Handles university archives, records management, special collections (including a rare book room)

About the Archives Ca 3500 cubic feet paper records (over 3000 boxes) 1 server of university photographs Electronic records Undetermined amount of films/reels 4700 volumes (3 collections) 220 oversize paintings/photos Museum objects (clock, golf bag, shot glass, etc.)

Meeting the Archivist Toolkit

Archivist Toolkit Phase 1 The stand alone computer

Accessions module

Resources Module: Smart man’s EAD

Archivist Toolkit Phase 2 A Networked Installation

Decentralizing Tasks Archival Associate Student Workers (A) Accessions correspondence (A)Review for previous donations (N) Customize names for addresses and Ferris connection (A) search unprocessed records (R)Enter finding aids Update locations (A)Locate donors for finding aid (A) Search unprocessed records

Simplifying the Archivists Life

Training Tips for Archivist Toolkit Designed for the non- archivist

1. Use screenshots Resources Module Accessions Module

2. Practice Entering backdata Cleaning up finding aids Name record: "Alcoman County Library (Harrisville, Mich.)." Corporate Body Local Sources Describing Archives: A Content Standard Contact data:Lynn VanderLinde 312 W. Main P.O. Box 348 Harrisville MI "Aldrich, Therese A." Person Local Sources Contact data:Therese A. Aldrich WES-212 Big Rapids Ferris Web systems administrator

3. Provide Context Names Modules Accessions module Use of names in resource module (name authority) Use of names in accessions module (donors)

Less helpful training strategies Extensive overview of all modules as an introduction Group training Training on authority control Linking of resources Referring to other examples within system Creating finding aids first in word processing format