SoCal Regional Forum - June 2018

Morning program

Breakfast and registration check-in will take place from 8:30am - 9:00am in the UC Irvine Student Center Emerald Bay.

Time

Topic

Time allocation
8:30 - 9:00 amBreakfast / check-in30 min
9:00 - 9:05 am

Welcome & Code of Conduct

Christine Kim (Community Engagement Coordinator, ArchivesSpace)

5 minutes
9:05 - 9:10 am

Welcome message

John Renaud (Associate University Librarian, Research Resources, UC Irvine)

5 minutes
9:10 - 9:15 am

Welcome presentation

Laurie Arp (Director of Collection Services & Community Supported Software, LYRASIS)

5 minutes
9:15 - 9:30 am

Presentation A: Integrating Aeon and ArchivesSpace

Anne Marie Lyons (Training and Library Solutions Consultant, Atlas)

 Abstract

This presentation will discuss integration tools between Aeon and ArchivesSpace, beginning with the ArchivesSpace-Aeon Fulfillment Plugin on the ASpace Public User Interface. This plugin allows researchers to request materials in a specific ASpace record and automatically send the request to the researcher’s Aeon account. The researcher can edit the request if needed, and then either schedule an in-person appointment or order a reproduction. Next, we’ll look at the ArchivesSpace addon for the Aeon client. This enables staff to import ArchivesSpace records into Ares for requesting purposes. The presentation will also cover configuration options and next steps in integration development. The Atlas Systems GitHub page can be accessed at https://github.com/AtlasSystems

15 minutes
9:30 - 9:45 am

Presentation B: XLS -> XML -> EAD -> CSV: Spreadsheet to finding aid and back

Marlayna Christensen (University Archivist, UC San Diego)

 Abstract

The UC San Diego Library uses Excel spreadsheets to easily create, update, and structure container lists while processing or updating collections. Using a locally-developed Python scripts, spreadsheet are quickly converted into XML, ingested into ASpace as EAD files and attached to the collection's resource record. When the collection is ready for public release, another script exports the resource record and formats it posting on the Library's website and OAC. Occasionally, we reverse the process and harvest the EAD and convert it back to Excel in a CSV format. This presentation will discuss the workflow, advantages, and disadvantages of each stage.

15 minutes
9:45 - 10:00 amQ&A15 minutes
10:00 - 10:15 amBREAK15 minutes
10:15 - 10:30 am

Presentation C: OAC and the archival description ecosystem: past, present, and an eye towards future possibilities

Adrian Turner (Data Services Manager, California Digital Library)

 Abstract

This presentation will provide an overview of the current infrastructure and suite of services related to OAC, and how they currently tie into the broader archival description ecosystem -- including platforms such as ArchivesSpace. Looking ahead to the future and considering how we can continue to improve the breadth and depth of the statewide aggregation, we'll discuss emerging possibilities and opportunities to consider.

15 minutes
10:30 - 10:45 am

Presentation D: Collaborative automation across systems: standardizing records and workflows with the ArchivesSpace API

Jessica Geiser (Collections Management Librarian, UC Riverside) & Noah Geraci (Digital Assets Metadata Librarian, UC Riverside)

 Abstract

From November 2017 to June 2018, we undertook a project at UCR Library to align description of archival collections across ArchivesSpace, Online Archive of California, and bibliographic systems (our local Millennium catalog and OCLC). We were able to leverage the ArchivesSpace API as a core component of the project for automating bulk updates and exports, and to use Python scripts created during the project to develop reusable tools that eliminate reliance on manual cleanup of ArchivesSpace-generated EAD and MARC files in our regular workflows.

We’ll share approaches and lessons learned for automating previously manual processes, gaining fluency with the ArchivesSpace API, collaborating across Special Collections and Technical Services, managing archival data across systems and record types, and growing project-based work into lasting changes.

15 minutes
10:45 - 11:00 amQ&A15 minutes
11:00 - 11:45 am

Lightning round session

From Access to Accessibility: Saying Goodbye to Microsoft Access / Angel Diaz, UCLA

 Abstract

In this presentation, I will discuss various aspects of migrating accession data from Microsoft Access database into ArchivesSpace, including issues with data as it lived in Access, working with stakeholders involved, and data clean-up.

Until recently, the University Archives at UCLA managed at varying degrees their accessions and unprocessed collection information through the use of a Microsoft Access database. I, as a processing archivist for University Archives materials worked in consultation with the University Archivist and the Collections Data Archivist to determine key data to retain and workflows for migration.

In preparation for the migration of this information into ArchivesSpace “accessions” module, a large amount of clean-up needed to take place, and the open source tool, OpenRefine was utilized to carry out the clean-up. The presentation will briefly cover challenges encountered and tools utilized to support successful migration in ArchivesSpace.

Historical Reenactment: Creating Retroactive Accession Records / Alexis Adkins, Cal Poly Pomona

 Abstract

Prior to 2015, Cal Poly Pomona’s Special Collections and Archives had never been headed by anyone with formal training in managing special collections. Most staff practices did not align with national standards, and collections were acquired haphazardly. New staff came on board beginning with our department head, Katie Richardson in 2015, and me as the Library’s first Archivist in 2016. One of our first projects was to survey the collection. We quickly discovered that provenance had not been a concern and many collections were badly conflated. Documentation was inconsistent and scattered throughout the department files, and sometimes in boxes with collections.

I spent a lot of time searching the department files and pulling together what I could find. Occasionally there were Gift Agreements, but usually there was only a print out of an email exchange or a note in old monthly reports. I decided to use ArchivesSpace to create “retroactive” accession records to pull together the documentation and make it quickly findable when it came time to process collections. Since starting at Cal Poly Pomona two years ago, I have created 766 retroactive records dating from 1968 to 2016, all of which have some form of external documentation. Many of these accession records are linked to new resource records as we work through our processing backlog. They have also been useful for co-locating donations from a single donor to re-establish provenance and creating “artificial” collections for materials from a variety of sources (for example, our collection of wine photographs.)

The ArchivesSpace PUI as a Navigation Tool for Digital Repositories / Peter Sachs Collopy, California Institute of Technology

 Abstract

The Caltech Archives is using the ArchivesSpace public user interface as a navigation layer for digital collections stores in our Islandora digital asset management system.

Over the last few years, we have digitized three of our manuscript collections. We have provided navigation of these digitized collections by hosting a linked finding aid within Islandora itself. As we've considered how to improve this finding aid interface, we've decided to take advantage of community development of the ArchivesSpace public interface, and to use it—and, redundantly, the Online Archive of California—to replace our Islandora finding aid navigation and provide a superior user experience for researchers.

By creating a digital object in ArchivesSpace for each object in Islandora—each of which in turn represented a tangible paper folder—we're able to provide linked folder level navigation of our digitized collections with thumbnail previews. Our next steps include integrating the aesthetics and functionality of the two platforms to provide a more seamless experience as users travel between ArchivesSpace and Islandora.

Awesome ArchivesSpace / Margaret Hughes, UCLA

 Abstract

This presentation will share ArchivesSpace’s new Awesome List repository, the efforts of the Awesome ArchivesSpace Working Group to create it, and how the community can get involved. Awesome ArchivesSpace is an awesome list. It points to resources (code, blog posts, anything with a URL, really) regarding ArchivesSpace created by the community that are dispersed around the web. Resources are loosely categorized by broad topic.

The intended audience for the list is those who have decided to adopt ArchivesSpace (or already have implemented ASpace) and need some help on where to go next in a specific area, both ArchivesSpace members and non-members. Awesome ArchivesSpace was initially populated with three categories of resources: Migrations, Plug-ins, and Integrations. Through that work, additional categories of interest were identified: Implementation, Scripts, and Trainings and Documentation.

The ArchivesSpace community has ownership over Awesome ArchivesSpace and we strongly encourage the ArchivesSpace community to add links to these categories as well as welcome new category suggestions. This presentation will share this great new resource for the ArchivesSpace community, as well as demo how anyone can contribute.

45 minutes
Lunch

Lunch will be provided in the Student Center Emerald Bay, along with informal topics to help prepare for the afternoon discussion. Please feel free to leave the building for some fresh air.

TimeTopicsTime allocation
11:45 - 1:00 pm

Lunch will be provided, along with informal discussion topics.

1 hour, 15 minutes
Afternoon program

From 1:00pm - 2:30pm, we will split into two parallel tracks. The Intro to ASpace workshop will be in Emerald Bay A.

The rest of the program will remain in Emerald Bay BC.

Time

Lead

Time allocation

1:00 - 2:30 pm

Workshop: Intro to ASpace

Instructor: Nancy Enneking, Getty Institutional Archives


Location: Emerald Bay A

Group discussion:

Moderator: Laurie Arp, LYRASIS


Location: Emerald Bay BC

1.5 hours – activities happening in parallel

2:30 - 2:45 pmBREAK15 minutes
2:45 - 3:15 pm

Overview: Plugins

  • Overview of plugins and how they fit into the ArchivesSpace application. Highlights of some key plugin examples.
  • Slides
  • Notes

Presenter: Laney McGlohon, ArchivesSpace

30 minutes
3:15 - 3:30 pmBREAK15 minutes
3:30 - 5:00 pm

Workshop & Discussion: Digital Objects overview & use cases

  • Digital objects - (overview by Nancy Enneking)
  • Discussion of use cases from participants
  • Notes

Instructor: Nancy Enneking, Getty Institutional Archives

1.5 hours
5:00

Closing remarks

Program team

2 minutes


Post-forum happy hour

Join us at the Anthill Pub & Grille on campus!

Located just outside the Student Center on the UCI campus, you don't even have to move your car to come. Directions: http://anthillpubandgrille.com/location/

The Anthill Pub & Grille is a sentimental landmark to all Anteaters on campus, featuring craft brews on tap, fried appetizers & weekly comedy nights. Also offers vegetarian options.


Details

Host: UCI Libraries

Date: June 28, 2018 (Thursday)

Time: 9am - 5pm

Location: UC Irvine, Student Center, Emerald Bay

Parking: Parking & Transportation

Volunteers sign-up: https://goo.gl/Hc662B

Directions & maps

Parking & Transportation at UCI

Campus map (Parking Structure, Student Center, Anthill Pub & Grille, and Starbucks highlighted.)

Student Center map (Emerald Bay, Anthill Pub & Grille, and Starbucks highlighted)

Connecting to WiFi

WiFi: UCInet Mobile Access

Instructions provided here: https://www.oit.uci.edu/mobile/

Forum evaluations

Link coming soon.

Working group
  • Elvia Arroyo-Ramírez (UC Irvine)
  • Margaret Hughes (UCLA)
  • Kelly Spring (East Carolina University)
  • Krystal Tribbett (UC Irvine)
  • Christine Kim (ArchivesSpace)