Upcoming Webinars
Register for free by clicking the links below and join us for our informative webinars!
Record Lifecycle
Archives are made up of records, but how do some records make it into an archive while others don’t? To help answer that question, we first need to understand the nature of records. The records of information we make aren’t static but pass through stages. Throughout these stages, the information record evolves and changes purposes. This webinar will walk through the lifecycle of a record and how it ends up in an archive or not. There are multiple models for conveying the lifecycle of a record, but this webinar will focus on the four-phase approach of record creation, active use, semi-active use, and final disposition.
Monday, December 8th @ 5 pm CT via Zoom.
Accession, Acquisition, & Appraisal
Accession, Acquisition, & Appraisal are closely related concepts, but they are not interchangeable. In this webinar, we will walk through what each term means in archival practice and how they work together to shape both collection development and archival processing. We will look at the practical implications of each concept, from initial contact with a donor or department through formal acceptance, documentation, and long-term stewardship.
Monday, January 19th @ 5 pm CT via Zoom.
Metadata 101
Metadata is the backbone of archival discovery and long-term access, but it can feel overwhelming if you are new to the field or working in a small shop without dedicated technical staff. In this webinar, we will break down what metadata actually is, why it matters, and how archivists use it to describe, manage, and preserve collections. We will walk through core concepts, common standards, and practical examples that connect directly to day-to-day archival work.
Monday, January 26th @ 5 pm CT via Zoom.
Archival Loans
This webinar will walk you through the full process of managing collection loans in museums and archives, from the initial request to the return of materials. We will cover how to evaluate what can be loaned, how to prepare items for travel or display, and what documentation you need at every stage. You will learn how to build clear policies, communicate expectations with borrowing institutions, and protect your collections through condition reporting, packing standards, and loan agreements.
Monday, February 2nd @ 5 pm CT via Zoom.
Restricted Materials
Every repository holds materials that cannot be opened to the public right away. This webinar will walk you through how to identify restricted materials, document the reasons for restriction, and manage access in a way that supports both ethical stewardship and institutional transparency. We will talk about common restriction categories, how to communicate restrictions to researchers, and how to build policies that balance privacy, legal requirements, and user needs.
Monday, March 2nd @ 5 pm CT via Zoom.
Knowledge Management
Knowledge management focuses on capturing the information people carry in their heads, organizing it, and making it usable across an organization. In this webinar, we will outline what knowledge management is, how it differs from archives, and why it often becomes the precursor to a successful archival program. We will talk about practical ways to map institutional knowledge, build documentation, and create repeatable systems that reduce risk and support long term memory for your organization.
Monday, April 6th @ 5 pm CT via Zoom.
Shoestring Digital Preservation
Digital preservation does not have to be expensive or complicated. In this webinar, we will walk through realistic, budget friendly steps that museums and archives can take to protect digital files, stabilize at risk media, and build sustainable workflows over time. We will focus on simple tools, clear decision making, and low cost practices that still align with professional standards.
Monday, May 4th @ 5 pm CT via Zoom.