ArchivesSpace Member Match Program

Open

The Member Match program is an initiative to engage individuals in the ArchivesSpace membership community. It was created and organized by the Member Engagement sub-team of the ArchivesSpace User Advisory Council, with support from the ArchivesSpace Community Engagement Coordinator. The program is intended to be a resource and venue for peer-to-peer support between individuals working in ArchivesSpace member institutions. For one year-long term Member Match participants will be matched with an individual member at another institution with whom they can receive and offer professional insight, advice, and comradery. The program will also offer participants the opportunity to engage in exclusive events and enlightening discussions about ArchivesSpace and its active user community. 

The program includes:

• Quarterly Member Match Meet-Ups

  • These are formal opportunities for large group socializing with a set presentation as well as the potential for dedicated time to spend with matches in breakout rooms.

• Monthly Informal Meet-Ups

  • These are informal spaces for program participants to meet each other and discuss just about anything. It does not have to be ArchivesSpace related! These are usually a monthly event on the first Friday of each month.

• 1-on-1 matches or an option to participate in small group matches of 3 people

• Private Listserv for Connecting with Other Participants

  • All participants of Member Match are a part of a private listserv where the sub-team sends out announcements. Participants are also encouraged to utilize the listserv to connect with the larger group of participants.

Mission

The Member Match program engages individuals within the ArchivesSpace member community as a resource and venue for peer-to-peer support, comradery, and advice for all things ArchivesSpace, Archives, and beyond. 

Eligibility

Any individual person affiliated with an ArchivesSpace member organization is eligible to participate in the ArchivesSpace Member Match program. If you are unsure of your organization’s ArchivesSpace membership status, visit https://archivesspace.org/community/whos-using-archivesspace or email ArchivesSpaceHome@lyrasis.org.

While any individual affiliated with an ArchivesSpace member organization may participate in the ArchivesSpace Member Match, those looking for more general archival or professional mentorship may find the SAA Mentoring Program or the mentorship program of your regional or state archival association more appropriate.

Responsibilities of Member Match Participants

• The majority of communication between participants will take place virtually with no expectation of in-person meetings unless they would like to do so due to being in close distance and/or attending the same conference.

• Matches will conduct an initial meeting to lay the groundwork for the relationship going forward in advance.

• Matches will determine a workable meeting schedule with their match based on availability, interests, and capacity.

• Matches will encourage each other to actively participate in ArchivesSpace member activities, e.g. webinars, posting to the listserv, serving on committees

• Matches will provide feedback and guidance regarding strategies, workflows, troubleshooting, and other application-related topics.

• Matches are willing to be transparent and open in communication, trustworthy, and confidential when necessary.

• Matches agree to follow the ArchivesSpace Code of Conduct during meetings and activities.

• Matches agree to notify the Member Engagement sub-team, as soon as known, if there are problems and/or if they need to leave the program.

• Matches should try to attend as many scheduled Member Match events as possible to network with colleagues in their Member Match cohort.

Responsibilities of the ArchivesSpace Member Engagement Sub-team

• Members of the sub-team will thoughtfully review applications received and make decisions that make the best possible matches.

• Members will respond to questions and issues from matches in a timely manner.

• Members will be responsible for setting up and conducting cohort meetings, activities, and events throughout the match year.

• Members will be transparent and open in communication, trustworthy, and confidential when necessary.

To Apply

Applications are opened for every Spring for the following year’s cohort. All applications are evaluated by the ArchivesSpace Member Engagement sub-team. We work to select and notify the cohort of Member Match partners no later than the end of June.

Matches will be made by reviewing application answers and weighting those answers in the following order:

1. Optional identity preferences

2. Interests (both ArchivesSpace and non-ArchivesSpace related)

3. Modules of the ArchivesSpace application that the applicant is or is not familiar with, including technical expertise

4. The hosting environment of the member’s ArchivesSpace Implementation

5. The applicant’s institution’s size, location and described work environment

6. Corresponding answers to all other questions

To Learn More

Please feel free to direct any questions to ArchivesSpaceHome@lyrasis.org

ArchivesSpace Member Engagement Sub-team

Jaime Margalotti, University of Delaware, Lead

Mary Pedraza, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Christine Liebson, Case Western University

Kolbe Resnick, Yale University

Jessica Crouch, ArchivesSpace Community Engagement Lead