Trained to inspire.

FULL TITLE: "Beyond the Reference Desk: Uncovering New Ways to Engage"

DATE & TIME: Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 1:00PM ET | 12:00PM CT | 11:00AM MT | 10:00AM PT

 DURATION: 45-60 Minutes

 PRICE: FREE for Members; $39.00 for Non-Members

 CREDITS: Preapproved for 1.0 ARC (Academy of Certified Archivists), 1.0 CEU (ARMA International), and 1.0 Study Hour (GARA Certificate Program).

 GARA CERTIFICATE CORE COMPETENCY AREAS: "Advocacy and Outreach" OR "Archives and Long-term Preservation"

 OVERVIEW: Reference service does not happen solely in the reference room during specific hours. There are cross-sectional opportunities for sharing information, which in turn provides opportunities for professional advocacy at large. While different service areas within an organization perform their own functions, clear lines of communication and collaboration between these areas result in a holistic approach across the spectrum of provided services.

 During this webinar presentation, sponsored by Backstage Library Works, our panelists will begin by describing their roles at a small state archives and records administration. They will also discuss work with various audiences including government agencies, private community organizations, and the public, as well as their internal collaborative efforts. They will provide participants with some tips for reference engagement, even when reference service is not an assigned duty, and will discuss  the continuous improvement model of customer service.

 PRESENTERS: Sally Blanchard-O'Brien, CA, Roving Archivist, Vermont Historical Records Program, Vermont State Archives & Records Administration, and Mariessa Dobrick, CA, Archivist, Vermont State Archives and Records Administration 

Sally Blanchard-O'Brien		Mariessa Dobrick

Vermont Historical Records Program (VHRP) Roving Archivist Sally Blanchard-O’Brien is passionate about preserving the records of the past to connect people with information and to bring the stories of history alive. Sally has worked for the Vermont State Archives & Records Administration since 2012 and for the VHRP beginning in the fall of 2019. She has a Masters of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University and became a Certified Archivist in 2020.

Mariessa Dobrick has been an Archivist at he Vermont State Archives and Records Administration for the last twelve years. A transplant to Vermont, she earned her BA in French from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and also holds her MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Information School. Working as an archivist for a small state, she finds herself providing reference services at community events and in grocery store lines.

For over 35 years, organizations across the globe, both large and small, trust the team at Backstage Library Works to provide specialized services such as: Microfilm preservation, Digitization, Metadata, Automation, and On-site projects. Our breadth and depth of experience in the library community provides our clients a unique array of expertise, positioning us as the ultimate partner for institutions looking to preserve the historic, artistic, monetary and creative value of their library collections. Exceptional, efficient service is a standard we believe in – in fact, we guarantee it. We work with a range of institutions, both large and small. Backstage has experience customizing projects for: Public libraries, Academic institutions, Special libraries, Museums, Archives, Corporate bodies, Non-profit foundations, and Government agencies.