Archival Resources

The Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB) promotes grant funding opportunities and other resources that may be of interest to those working in the archival profession in Texas. THRAB serves as the State Historical Advisory Board for Texas with funding support from National Historical Publications & Records Commission (NHPRC). Visit the NHPRC site for more information and grant listings.

Preservation Assessments

As part of its ongoing efforts to provide education and support to archival repositories in the state, the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB), with support from the National Historical Publication and Records Commission will provide funding for three professional preservation assessments in the Rio Grande Valley region during the spring of 2023.

Archives, libraries, museums, or other cultural heritage repositories preserving and providing access to historically significant archival collections are encouraged to apply. Special consideration will be given to those located in the counties of Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron and Hispanic-serving institutions.

THRAB has contracted with Rebecca Elder Cultural Heritage Preservation of Austin to conduct the on-site reviews of facilities, environments, and collection needs, and produce a brief assessment report for each repository with short and long-term recommendations. Areas of review include building and environmental conditions; general collection needs; storage and shelving; exhibits (if any); and emergency planning and security. The report will prioritize the recommendations and provide essential documentation to support any future funding requests, including grant applications, to accomplish the projects,

THRAB will review the final assessment reports and work with the institutions to identify appropriate grants or other means to address the recommendations. THRAB will monitor progress of the institutions and provide advocacy support. THRAB intends this initiative to be a pilot project to engage and support underfunded repositories.

If you would like THRAB to consider your repository for this free assessment, fill out the application form by March 1, 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by April 1, 2023 and will make arrangements with Rebecca Elder Cultural Heritage Preservation for assessments to be completed by June 1, 2023.

APPLICATION FORM

Disaster Planning

Workshops & Webinars [Recordings]

Creating an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Webinar Series 2020
Rebecca Elder, Elder Preservation, THRAB 2020

Part 1: Emergency Planning Basics and the Emergency Team [ Recording | Handout packet ]
Part 2: Risk Assessment and Choosing a Plan Template [ Recording | Handout packet ]
Part 3: Contact Lists and Salvage Priorities [ Recording | Handout packet ]
Part 4: Procedures, Supplies and Implementation [ Recording | Handout packet ]
Part 5: How Did It Go? [ Recording | Handout packet ]

Emergency Preparedness and Planning Series 2019
Rebecca Elder, Elder Preservation, THRAB 2019

Part 1: Emergency Preparadness: Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Fires, Oh My! Creating Your Emergency Preparedness Plan [Recording]
Part 2: Emergency Response: Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Fires, Oh My! Responding to Your Emergency [Recording]

Grant Funding

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH site / grants)

Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions

Preservation Assistance Grants help small and mid-sized cultural institutions improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections. Applicants must draw on the knowledge of consultants whose preservation skills and experience are related to the types of collections and the nature of the activities on which their projects focus. When assessing the preservation needs of library, museum, or archival holdings, applicants should seek a consultant whose specialty is appropriate for the nature of their collections and who is knowledgeable about the preservation of collections in these types of institutions.
The program encourages applications from small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant; community colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribal Colleges and Universities; and Native American tribes and Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian organizations with significant humanities collections. Furthermore, organizations or collections that represent the contributions of under-represented communities are highly encouraged.

For more information: https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-assistance-grants-smaller-institutions

Internship Opportunities

National Association of Government Archives & Records Administration

NAGARA Internship Program

The NAGARA Internship Program endeavors to match under-served local or state archival or records programs and/or institutions with students interested in careers in archival and/or records management. The internship will provide a $3,000 stipend to a student matched with defined projects at a desiring institution. In addition to providing an institution and student an opportunity for collaboration, the program also seeks to create good will with institutions and students where both parties can learn from each other and from the experience.

Institutions are responsible for soliciting and identifying student candidates, however NAGARA will assist with standardized applications and promotional language.

Interested institutions can download the Application below. Application submission dates will run from December 1 - 31, 2022. NAGARA will notify the winning institution by January 31, 2023.