Chicago Area Religious Archivists Event
Preserving the Religious Foundations of Chicagoland
Ward Miller, Director of Preservation Chicago
Thursday, December 9th, 2:00 pm. to 3:30 p.m.
Saint James Commons
65 East Huron, Chicago, IL
Religious institutions play a primary role in American society. Following the pattern of Eastern cities, people came to Northern Illinois to gain land and greater economic opportunity. Unlike the East coast, Greater Chicago had no predominant continuous religious group that determined the course of the city’s history. With the arrival of immigrants, religious pluralism became a reality and gradually these newly arrived citizens established faith-based institutions to voice their concerns. Today, religious architecture reflects the impact these communities had on determining the city’s landscape and its multilayered neighborhoods.
Ward Miller, Director of Preservation Chicago will offer an insightful and illustrated presentation on the role of religion in shaping Chicagoland, the challenges to preserve its structures, and the opportunity to find ways to repurpose vacant edifices. Religious archivists play a critical role in this preservation effort as they possess the materials to understand the importance of these associations and can become an ally in the quest to preserve not only its intellectual religious materials but also its structural heritage.
CARA is delighted to welcome back its members and interested individuals and organizations to join us for this unique lecture. The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has graciously allowed us to have our meeting at Saint James Commons, 65 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL. Adjacent to the Magnificent Mile, we hope you can join us and your friends for an afternoon of comradery and opportunity to reconnect with colleagues.
Please RSVP at mccarthym@claretians.org by December 1st. This will allow us to plan for social distancing and security at Saint James Commons. Looking forward to pre-holiday archival celebration!
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Job Opening in Springfield, Illinois
Please spread the word with your contacts of this job posting for a part-time Archives Assistant at the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. Interested persons can contact Maira Herrera mherrera@spdom.org
Archives Assistant
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield is seeking a part time Archives Assistant. The assistant will have the opportunity to engage in historical research, as well as assist in digital preservation and records management initiatives.
Dominican Sister of Springfield: Springfield, Illinois
Job Type: Permanent
Position will be 24 hours a week between Monday and Friday.
Position Details:
· Arrange and describe a series of DSOS archival files, performing minor conservation treatment as needed
· Process archival records according to current archival best practices
· Create Finding aids using archival standards
· Assist in making archived materials accessible to a wide range of users
· Assist in records management initiatives
· Work with the Archivist to implement at least two to three physical exhibit per calendar year
· Assist in fulfilling Reference request from researchers
· Assist in updating sister files (ensure preservation and maintain privacy and confidentiality of records)
Minimum Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution
· Prior library, archives and/or museum experience required.
· Good English writing skills.
· Attention to detail.
· Advanced research skills.
· Good organizational skills essential.
· Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision after initial training period.
· Capacity for learning Archival database software
· Comfortable using Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
· Ability to lift and carry boxes weighing up to 40 lbs.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: Maira Herrera at mherrera@spdom.org
