Ardra Whitney: Week 7 @ Avery Research Center

 

You know you’re a nerd when you get excited about the opportunity to gaze at the stars. I can’t wait until next month when the Physics and Astronomy department at the College of Charleston holds an open house at the Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center. The center has a 16-in telescope in its rooftop observatory and an observing deck with smaller telescopes, which will be available for public use on the third Friday in November. Additionally, the open house will also feature fun activities and demonstrations (indoor and outdoor) in rooms on the first floor of the science building.

 

Monday, October 15^th and Tuesday, October 16^th:

I met with Processing Archivist, Georgette Mayo and Manager of Archival Services, Aaron Spelbring to review questions I had about general collections processing at Avery, as well as specific questions related to processing the W. Melvin Brown, Jr. Papers and Edwina Harleston Whitlock Papers (e.g., restricting confidential materials, finding aid preparation and collection arrangement). I also began developing a series arrangement, biographical note and scope and content note for the Edwina Harleston Whitlock Papers. During my meeting with Ms. Mayo on Tuesday, I learned that she served as co-director of the South Carolina Archival Association.

 

Wednesday, October 17^th:

I completed evaluating part two of Debra Lee’s video oral history interview and participated in The HistoryMakers 2012-2013 IMLS Fellowship Professional Development Conference Call with Andrea Jackson, Head of the Archives Research Center at the Robert W. Woodruff Library at Atlanta University Center. Ms. Jackson spoke about her experiences in the archival profession, including the challenges and changes she’s encountered in the field over the years. I asked questions about her collaborations with other archivists and archives, as well as her participation in conferences, panels and public/outreach programs.

 

Thursday, October 18^th:

I followed up with Ms. Jackson via e-mail and asked her if she would contribute a quote to the American Archives Month social media campaign at Avery.

 

Friday, October 19^th:

I worked with Reference Librarian, Deborah Wright in Avery’s reading room, where I completed scanning the scrapbook from the W. Melvin Brown, Jr. Papers and transferred those images to the Z: Drive. Public Historian, Robert T. Chase also stopped by and asked me to digitize images from Avery’s Black Power Conference taken by Imam Hakim Abdul – Ali. In addition, Ms. Wright, Ms. Mayo, and myself worked together to generate Facebook posts for the American Archives Month celebration at Avery and launch the center’s new YouTube channel: AveryResearchLive.