Requestable Workshops Provided by the Records Services Division

The Secretary of State’s Records Services Division offers free workshops covering a wide range of archives and records related topics. Intended for archivists, genealogists, historians and Missouri records repository volunteers, workshops are taught by Records Services staff with years of experience in their respective fields. Workshops may be requested by individual Missouri citizens or groups based in the state, but  scheduling must occur at least two months in advance and is contingent upon meeting the below requirements.

Required:

  • In-state facility with parking, seating and desk/table space for a minimum of 20 attendees, unless otherwise noted
  • Minimum pre-confirmed attendance of 20, unless otherwise noted
  • Projection screen

Preferred:

  • Microphone with sound system
  • Projector with HDMI input
  • Podium
  • Wi-Fi with Internet connectivity

For further information or scheduling inquiries, contact Brian Rogers at [email protected] or (573) 526-1981.

  

Archives Workshops

Arrangement and Description

  • Duration: 3–4 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 30
  • Topics Covered: Overview of records and archives; basic archival policies and procedures; introduction to archival concepts, including provenance, original order, levels of control and collective description; creation of finding aids; records storage and labeling

Reference Services

  • Duration: 3–4 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 30
  • Topics Covered: Archival reference strategies; education and outreach; reference policies, procedures and best practices

 

Electronic Records Workshops

Electronic Records Management

  • Duration: 3–4 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 30
  • Topics Covered: Electronic records appraisal, access and description; the electronic record lifecycle; basic electronic records preservation strategies; issues in structured and unstructured digital records management; long-term electronic records access

Records Digitization

  • Duration: 3–4 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 30
  • Topics Covered: Digitization project selection and planning; metadata creation and management; document and photograph scanning standards; file types and migration strategies

 

Genealogy Workshops

Genealogy I: Missouri Genealogy Basics

  • Duration: 2–3 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 30
  • Topics Covered: Introduction to the Missouri State Archives and its resources; overview of records available online; vital and county government records research strategies

Genealogy II: Moving Beyond Vital Records

  • Duration: 5–6 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 30
  • Topics Covered: Genealogical research strategies for using county records, naturalizations, appellate court records, military service records, Missouri state documents, census records, professional registrations and more

 

Preservation and Conservation Workshops

Care and Repair of Documents (with Hands-On Instruction)*

  • Duration: 4–6 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 20 (requires a minimum of 15 pre-confirmed attendees)
  • Topics Covered: Document assessment; environmental concerns; storage and housing; instruction in basic conservation methods, including surface cleaning, humidification, mending and encapsulation

*Attendees or host institution must purchase conservation supplies in advance. Contact us for a supply list and links to online sources.

Disaster Preparedness

  • Duration: 3–4 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 30
  • Topics Covered: Introduction to disaster preparedness; disaster mitigation strategies; response and recovery procedures; disaster planning resources and strategies

Records Preservation

  • Duration: 2–4 hrs.
  • Maximum Attendance: 30
  • Topics Covered: Basic preservation concepts; the physical and chemical nature of materials; creating a stable environment; collection maintenance; records storage, handling and use; basic repair and conservation methods; reformatting of records; administrative issues