On August 14, 2024, the accessioning working group organized the Accessioning Best Practices Symposium. This day-long convening was held at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and coincided with the 88th annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the 70 archivists who enthusiastically dived into the best practices and participated in critical reflections on accessioning at their institutions. It was a wonderful day!
The symposium organizing committee met regularly for months to plan how to bring everyone together for an enriching experience. Thank you to Jordan Jancosek, Margo Padilla, Christine Bethke, Kate Dundon, Jaimie Henderson, Haian Abdirahman, and Brittan Nannenga for organizing such an impressive symposium!
The agenda for the symposium can be found below.
Accessioning Best Practices Symposium
August 14, 2024
88th annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
37 South Wabash Avenue, Room 327
Schedule
10:00 Check in
Attendees will receive a wristband in the lobby.
10:00-10:45 Welcome coffee & art making icebreaker
Continental breakfast, coffee, tea, and water will be provided.
10:45-11:00 Opening remarks & recognitions by National Best Practices for Archival Accessioning Working Group co-founder, Rosemary Davis.
11:00-11:45 Ask Anything!
Large group discussion of common questions, roadblocks, and accessioning woes led by Education Committee members Margo Padilla and Christine Bethke.
11:45-1:00 Lunch on your own
1:00-2:00 Best Practices Overview and Q&A
An introduction to the Accessioning Best Practices led by Working Group leaders Rachel Searcy and Eve Neiger.
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15-3:00 Applying the Best Practices (part 1)
Small group discussions about specific scenarios that involve applying the Best Practices in the workplace, facilitated by members of the Working Group.
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15-3:45 Applying the Best Practices (part 2)
Facilitators share key points from small group discussions to the larger group.
3:45-4:00 Closing remarks by Rosemary Davis
National Best Practices for Archival Accessioning Working Group 