About RAP
About RAP
Embedded Files
Mission
Mission
To empower cultural heritage institutions by connecting them with trained archival professionals, offering expert advice and support for the effective management and preservation of historical records.
Background
Background
Starting as 2020, the Wyoming State Historic Records Advisory Board (WY SHRAB) received funding to launch the first phase of a multi-phase project to establish a Roving Archivist Program (RAP). The grant funded the hiring of a part-time project archivist to conduct a needs assessment survey of the state's cultural heritage institutions, create recommendations based on the survey results, and build an online directory of cultural heritage institutions in Wyoming. The grant for the second phase of the project utilizes the outcomes of the first phase to establish an operational RAP.
The Wyoming Cultural Heritage Needs Assessment Survey (WCHNA) is the tangible product of the first phase of RAP. See below for more details.
The Wyoming Cultural Heritage Needs Assessment Survey
The Wyoming Cultural Heritage Needs Assessment Survey
The Wyoming Roving Archivist Program (RAP) is pleased to announce the publication of the Wyoming Cultural Heritage Needs Assessment (WCHNA) Survey Report. This survey demonstrates the first phase of RAP which focused on conducting a needs assessment survey. The survey took place in late 2022 and early 2023, creating recommendations based on the survey results, and building an online directory of cultural heritage institutions in Wyoming with archival holdings.
The WCHNA Survey Report is a comprehensive analysis of the survey data collected from a total of seventy-seven institutions out of 174, equaling a response rate of 44.3%. The report interprets the data, addressing topics such as staffing, funding, collections management, preservation strategies, and more. By analyzing this data, Project Archivist Jordan Meyerl highlighted noteworthy findings and crafted a series of recommendations to be implemented in future RAP operations. Culminating over a year’s work, the RAP anticipates the report will serve as an influential resource impacting the future of Wyoming’s cultural heritage landscape.
WCNHA_Survey_Report.pdfWhat is a Roving Archivist?
What is a Roving Archivist?
A roving archivist is a professional archivist who travels to different archival repositories, offering advice, best practices, and encouragement in the management, arrangement, preservation, acquisition, and access of archival collections. After applying for a site visit, the roving archivist meets with cultural institutions, conducts a visit, and develops an individualized needs assessment survey of individual repositories and its practices. The roving archivist also develops recommendations for the institution to incorporate into their operations. Outside of site visits, the roving archivist conducts workshops, informational sessions, and other outreach activities to support cultural institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Archivist?
According to the Dictionary of Archives Terminology, an archivist is "a professional with expertise in the management of records of enduring value." Archivists' responsibilities include "appraisal, acquisition, description, preservation, and the provision of access to records of enduring value and /or management of an archival repository."
What is a Site Visit?
In essence, a site visit is when the roving archivist visits cultural institutions to support them in their collections management. This includes advice on organization, preservation, acquisition, and accessibility. For more information, look at the Site Visits tab.
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