Digital Symbiosis: Archivists and Technology

New York Archives Week Symposium & Awards Ceremony 2024

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (A.R.T.) is pleased to announce that after 5 years, the annual A.R.T. Symposium and Awards Ceremony will take place in-person at the Gotham Center for New York City History on Thursday, October 17th from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. (Registration will start at 9:30 am).

As we grapple with digital preservation, it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons of technology. While advancements offer new possibilities, they also introduce challenges. This year's symposium explores the dynamic relationship between archivists and machines.

Our speakers will delve into how technology can enhance workflow efficiency, user experience, and preservation efforts and will also explore potential pitfalls, including accessibility issues, sustainability concerns, and cost implications. By understanding both the benefits and drawbacks, we can make informed decisions about the best tools for preserving our digital heritage.

The symposium offers a full day of presentations on research, labor strategies, and best practices, with the aim of bringing together archivists, records managers, librarians, museum professionals, scholars, researchers, and the general public. 

Please also join us to celebrate the distinguished work and lasting achievements of individuals and institutions of our profession for the Awards Ceremony, which will follow immediately after the symposium. 

This is an in-person event limited to 70 people. Advance registration is required and non-transferable. Please note that you must reserve a ticket in advance online in order to attend the symposium and awards ceremony. 

Coffee and a light lunch will be provided. 

Location

The Gotham Center for New York City History,

William P. Kelly Skylight Conference Room, RM 9100, 9th Floor

365 5th Ave #6103, New York, NY 10016

Date: Thursday, October 17th, 2024 

Time: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Please note: This event will not be recorded, but presentations will be organized in a proceedings document available sometime after the event. 

PROGRAM

Shifting Platforms: The Quest for Long Term Preservation and Access

Harmonizing History: The New York Philharmonic's Digital Migration Journey | Bill Levay, Digital Archivist, New York Philharmonic

Contending with Content Concerns: A Case Study of NYC Municipal Archives Reparative Description Practices and Platform Migration | Kelli O'Toole, Digital Preservation Supervisor, Department of Records and Information Services, Caleb Simone, Digital Archivist, Department of Records and Information Services

All for One, and One for All: CUNY’s move to Archives Space | Regina Carra, Outreach & Processing Archivist, City University of New York, Jessica Webster, Digital Initiatives Librarian/Associate Professor, Baruch College, CUNY, Thomas Cleary, LaGuardia Community College, Archivist

Access: The Importance of Always Keeping Our Communities in Mind

Using Open Data and Crowdsourcing to Create a Dynamic Map of History with Queens Name Explorer | Aimai Reporter, Metadata Librarian - Digital Archives, Queens Public Library - Queens Memory, Lori Wallach, Outreach Coordinator, Queens College, Ben Smyth, Co-Founder of Urban Archive, Urban Archive

Facilitating Discovery and Access: The Challenges and Successes of Archival Requesting at The New York Public Library | Laura Leone, Senior Project Manager, Collections Access and Discovery, New York Public Library, Michelle McCarthy-Behler, Manager for Public Services, Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books, New York Public Library

Enhancing Discernment and Reducing Drudgery While Cataloging WNYC's On the Line: You Get Paid to Think | Martha Ball, Archive Manager, New York Public Radio, Marcos Sueiro Bal, Project Cataloger, New York Public Radio

Cycles: Preserving, Using, and Reactivating Archives 

Using Web Archives for Primary Source Instruction | Lizzy Zarate, Archives and Records Intern, NYC Independent Budget Office

Web Archiving: Preserving the Future of Scientific Endeavor | Chaeyeon Kim, Digital Archivist, Upstate Medical University (SUNY) 

Re-Animating Archives: Performance Art and Mixed Reality |

Mary O'Leary, Independent Museum Professional

Special Presentation: Creating Futures Through Memory Work

Arts2Work Digital Archivist Apprenticeship Program: Martha Diaz, Executive Director, Hip-Hop Education Center and Wendy Levy, Executive Director, The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture

The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture presents the Arts2Work Digital Archivist Apprenticeship, a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the burgeoning demand for skilled digital archivists and archival curators. The program specifically targets young people and emerging creative technologists who are disconnected from school and work, offering them a unique pathway to professional development in digital media archiving and digital asset management.