From the bottom up…One historian’s journey developing and maintaining a working archives

Why create a history room & archive for the Sunflower County Library System? 2001, Assistant Director’s tour of the branches revealed lousy situation Genealogy room discrepancies Compiled materials and moved them to upstairs meeting/storage room

Why hire an archivist for the Sunflower County History Room and Archive? Staff genealogist GeeGee retired David- former journalist, well known local historian and president of the Sunflower County Historical Society Me-academically trained

Public History Coordinator ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: –Promotes the libraries polices, goals and objectives and works with the library administration and other staff in the formation of goals and objectives. Recommends public service procedures. –Coordinates programming throughout the system. Leads, trains, directs and utilizes subordinates, interns and volunteers effectively and appropriately. –Facilitates the preparation of public history collection documentation. Compiles reports as requested; implements systems for gathering statistics and information. –Serves as a liaison between the library and community organizations, schools, government boards, and commissions as appropriate. Represents the library and library trustees as requested and as appropriate. –Initiates inter-agency cooperative efforts for networking purposes; including program development, collection development; and staffing. –Coordinates the annual Black History Month activities. This may includes scheduling presenters, special events, recommending volunteer needs. –Participates in selection of materials for all branches—particularly as they pertain to local, state and regional history. –Reads library journals and electronic sources for professional development. – Performs adult, young adult, and children’s reader’s advisory and reference service as needed. – Staffs branches as required. –Participates in professional and community organizations. Provides consultation on local community needs which can be met by the Library. –Maintains awareness of trends in public history service and of historical events and issues affecting citizens of Sunflower County. –Attends workshops and appropriate professional meetings and conferences. –Attends library staff meetings. Participates in the leadership of the administrative team.

Me & my background BA in Anthropology at Florida State University MA in History at University of Montana Intern/employed at K. Ross Toole Archives at U of M for 2 years Missoula International School parent US Space and Rocket Center Educator

Sunflower County History Room and Archive Jennifer D. Rose Public History Coordinator

What was waiting for me… Wal-Mart bags David’s attempts Boxes Genealogy materials And who knows what!

Me and my hats Archivist Outreach Advocate Oral historian Grant writer

What DO I do? Acquisitions Processing Proper housing Finding aids Digitizing Creating exhibits Presentations Writing grants Oral histories Public relations

Archivist Acquisitions Processing Preservation Finding aids

outreach Presentations and education Professional workshops, conferences… Social events and Festivals Just talking to people

advocate Get the stuff out of attics and from under beds Promote the responsibility to preserve History’s relevant Support your local library Again, just talking to people

oral historian Recorded a couple at school, transcribed a few and wrote a lot of summaries I like to talk, and to listen Wanted to document undocumented B.B. King Museum’s program and equipment

grant writer This one kinda fell to me after Director left Grant writing workshops Internet search and word of mouth

Thank you and I hope you enjoyed the show!