Archival Management
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Spotlight: Barbara Goldsmith Collection
In partnership with the New York Public Library Manuscripts Division Project Dates: 2008 - 2009 Learn more about author, journalist and philanthropist Barbara Goldsmith |
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In 2008, author, journalist and philanthropist Barbara Goldsmith approached the New York Public Library with a problem. Over the course of 50 years the best selling author had accumulated hundreds of boxes of records containing thousands of manuscripts, correspondence, reviews, and personal papers. As a Library board member she believed the records had value to the Library, if someone could get a handle on what they comprised. And her for personally, how could she make some sense of this large cache of records? To find important documents she still needed and to know what should be donated to the Library and what should remain in her personal archive?
The Library contracted Jason to manage what would become the Barbara Goldsmith Collection. Jason approached this project as two distinct archival tasks - to create the framework for a public collection at the New York Public Library that would be accessed in the future, and to create a working personal archive for Ms. Goldsmith in the present. The first task was to research Ms. Goldsmith's life, to realize what she had accomplished and how the records documented it. Working closely with Ms. Goldsmith, we developed a plan for each type of record: was it appropriate for the Library? If so, when should it be donated? How would she best be able to gain access to documents she needed? No records were overlooked in this comprehensive process.
The resulting catalog of approximately 8,000 records now belongs to the Library. Numerous boxes of records have already been transferred there along with analysis of what they contain and how they are of benefit to the Library in the future. In addition, a private archive has been organized for Ms. Goldsmith to allow her to find what she needs from her personal papers. The working relationship became so strong that Ms. Goldsmith employed Jason as her personal archivist.
Testimonial from Ms. Barbara Goldsmith:
Dear Jason, I don't know how you found those contracts so quickly and got them to me. I want you to know I appreciate it very much. Without them it would have been hard to prove I own my own electronic rights. I just wanted to thank you very much.
Prior Archival Management Projects
Jason has worked on several other archival management projects that have turned large caches of records into valuable resources for institutions, as well as brought peace of mind to clients.
Department of Communications and Public Affairs, Yeshiva University
New York, NY - 2007
Developed an archival and records management plan for Yeshiva University's Department of Communications and Public Affairs. Department holds Yeshiva publications dating back to the 1930's; work created records retention policy to eliminate clutter and enabled documents to be used for research and reference.
Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Archive and Library
New York, NY - 2006-2007
Worked with the New York-based curator of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame to build the basis of the future Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Archive and Library. Collected, appraised, cataloged and assessed preservation needs of material from musicians, record executives, recording studios and rock journalists in the New York area.
Museo Judio de Sosua
Sosua, Dominican Republic - 2006
Created the archive of the Museo Judio de Sosua in Sosua, Dominican Republic. This museum owns documents related to Jewish presence in the Dominican, a collection that had not been looked at for close to 60 years. Through grant funding Jason was sent to preserve, organize and save these documents.
New-York Historical Society Prints, Photographs & Architectural Collections
New York, NY - 2006
Processed the John Albok Collection for the New-York Historical Society. Albok photographed street scenes in Manhattan for over 50 years, but his work had never been accessible at NYHS before Jason created the finding aid.
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