Blue Shield

Marcia Stein, CARA member and Archivist at the Robert M. Myers Archives at the Society of the Divine Word in Techny, IL wanted to share this information on Blue Shield with other CARA members.

What is Blue Shield?

The Blue Shield is the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross. It is the symbol specified for marking protected cultural property in the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. It is also the name of the international committee set up in 1996 to work to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by wars, natural and man‐made disasters, the International Committee of the Blue Shield. The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield is one of many national committees organized under the principals of the International Committee of the Blue Shield.

The most recent news is that the International Committee on the Blue Shield has officially recognized a new Blue Shield Committee in Haiti to rescue and protect their rich and unique cultural heritage since the devastating earthquake. Read the press release to learn more.

To become involved with Blue Shield and support their efforts, check out this site: http://www.uscbs.org/get_involved.htm. As religious archivists, we have many gifts to share.

Job Opportunity - Religious Archives

The following was taken from the CAA listserv:

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

SEEKS

DIRECTOR OF BRETHREN HISTORICAL LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES

Job Description: To promote the history and heritage of the Church of the Brethren by:

1) Administering the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, and
2) Facilitating research and the study of Brethren history.

Includes: Providing reference services, assuring the cataloging of books and processing of archival records, formulating policies, budgeting, developing collection, recruiting and training of intern and volunteers.

Education:

Required: Master's degree in library science/archival studies and extensive knowledge of Church of the Brethren history and beliefs.
Preferred: Graduate degree in history or theology and/or certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Skills and Knowledge Required:

Ability to articulate and operate out of the vision of the Church of the Brethren.
Well-grounded in library and archival disciplines.
Customer-service skills
Research and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft software and experience with OCLC products.
3-5 years experience in a library or archives.

Location: Elgin, Illinois

Application, resume, and three reference letters due no later than June 25, 2010 to:

Karin Krog, Director of Human Resources
Church of the Brethren
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, IL 60123
Email: kkrog@brethren.org
847-742-5100 ext. 258

Position Start Date: November 1, 2010