Engagement in the Digital Era

Engaging people with archives has an impact on all other core areas of the archival profession—plus it’s fun! Engagement in the Digital Era, another installment in the series Trends in Archives Practice, consists of three modules that share practical and creative approaches to reaching more people more effectively in the digital era: Module 21: Lights, Camera, Archives! by Daniel J. Linke and Travis H. Williams Manage media requests like a pro. From journalists plumbing the depths of your collections to filmmakers scouting locations, maximize your media opportunities by anticipating and planning for your ultimate close-up. Module 22: Engaging Users with Archives: Programs That Get Results by Michele Casto, Jessica Lacher-Feldman, and Nicole J. Milano Connect new and existing users to historic collections while creating a better understanding of archival work through programs that engage the mission, priorities, and resources of your repository. Module 23: Establishing Archival Connections through Online Engagement by Dina Kellams and Jennie Thomas Design effective social media strategies that fit your organization’s mission, audiences, and voice, culminating in not just followers but a community of lifelong supporters and fans. As Nicole Milano of the Medical Center Archives at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medicine notes in her introduction, "Archivists don’t need to be convinced of the contribution our repositories can make to society; instead, it is our responsibility to embrace archival engagement as a means to create that awareness in others, while engaging ourselves in better practices and professional growth."