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While I had some challenges making it to the SNCA meeting on April 8 (a sprained ankle necessitated some crutches), the opportunity for networking and hearing about all the ongoing archives projects in NC, was well worth the trip! I moderated a session focusing on the Digital Public Library (including Chelcie) and was interested to hear about the logistics and challenges of contributing to such a far-reaching project. Over lunch, State Archivist Sarah Koontz spoke and I greatly enjoyed hearing her remarks about the work of the State Archives of North Carolina. She gave excellent advice about combining advocacy and Archives Week, and as the new SNCA Archives Week coordinator, I greatly appreciated the ideas.

I also attended the Student Lightning Round session where five projects were described. Duke Divinity School student Dr. Ken Woo presented on his outreach plans for the Religion in North Carolina project, which includes our Special Collections. His presentation focused on the effectiveness of reaching a user base through online social media and collaborating with local communities.

Lastly, I co-presented with Erin Lawrimore (UNC-Greensboro) about the Archives Leadership Institute. The Institute, funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) selects twenty-five archivists to attend a week-long retreat in Decorah, Iowa, and to complete a number of professional projects. I serve on the Steering Committee for ALI, and Erin was a recent 2013 participant. This was an effort to publicize the Institute in the hopes of increasing applications for 2015.

All in all, it was good to get out and see all the archives activity taking place in North Carolina!