Wisconsin Archives Mentoring Service Presents

1
Wisconsin Archives Mentoring Service Presents A
Friend in Need
2
Local historical societies have to answer a lot
of questions.
3
How old is my house?
4
Who was our towns first teacher?
5
Do you have a picture of my great aunt?
6
But who answers the historical societys
questions?
7
Whats the best way to index our photos?
8
Is it legal for us to own government records?
9
The Wisconsin Archives Mentoring Service (WAMS)
can help you help yourself. Professional
volunteer archivists are donating their time in
locations across the state, visiting cultural
agencies that preserve and provide access to
primary source material.
10
Great! How does it work?
11
Visit our website at www.uwosh.edu/archives/wams a
nd review and complete the application process.
The WAMS office will determine if the program can
meet your needs and will then attempt to match
your institution with a mentor. Once a match is
made it is up to you and your volunteer mentor to
make the necessary arrangements and to decide on
a plan of action to meet your goals.
12
Ok, how much does it cost?
13
Some of the mentoring work can be done over the
phone or via email, however we recommend at least
one site visit. Some projects will require
several visits from the mentor. We encourage your
institution to reimburse your mentor for his/her
travel costs for these visits, otherwise the
service is free.
14
What can I expect the mentor to help with?
15
A mentor should visit your historical society to
meet with you and your staff to discuss your
issues.
16
Your mentor might help you plan changes to your
storage facility.
17
Your mentor may demonstrate procedures and
processes.
18
Mentors may be able to help with archives related
technology issues.
19

• Additionally, mentors can help you
• Develop better space and policies for public
  service
• Create a collection development plan
• Craft preservation and emergency plans to help
  protect your records.
• Show you the best display techniques to protect
  your records as you exhibit them.
• Its your project, just ask!

20
But ultimately it is up to you and your staff to
complete the task at your own schedule.
21
Follow up visits might be arranged to review
progress or to handle the next step of a
complicated process.
22
How long does the mentoring relationship last?
23
The duration and scope of the mentoring
relationship is up to you and your mentor to
agree upon. In many cases, the relationship
targets a specific problem or project. When that
is solved, the mentoring relationship is over.
24
However, the contacts and friendships made may
last for years to come.
25
Mentoring relationships have been completed or
are underway across the state.
26
Wisconsins history is a big job and state
archivists want to do their part to help you as
you preserve the history of your corner of the
state. Volunteer mentors are currently standing
by in several Wisconsin communities. Please visit
our website to learn more about the program
www.uwosh.edu/archives/wams
27
WAMS is brought to you through UW Oshkosh and the
Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board and
of course, through the generous donation of time
by our volunteer archivists and their employers.