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Society of California Archivists (SCA) records
Mss 263
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Table of contents
Title: Society of California Archivists (SCA) records
Identifier/Call Number: Mss 263
Language of Material:
English.
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Physical Description:
42.21 Linear Feet
(93 document boxes, 1 half size document box)
Creator:
Society of California Archivists
Date (inclusive): 1971-2020
Date (bulk): 1972-2004
Abstract: These are the organizational files for the Society of California Archivists (SCA). They cover from the beginning of its formation
in 1971, to 2020. The bulk of the files are to 2004. The series are organized in alphabetical order and include board meeting
files as well as committees activites, handbooks, newsletters, photographs and training workshop files.
Physical Location: A portion of the collection is located at the Southern Regional Library Facility (SRLF).
The collection is open for research. A portion of the collection is stored offsite. Advance notice is required for retrieval.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Research Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Department of Special Research Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
This collection was formally under the jurisdiction of UCLA. By agreement with SCA, UCLA, and UCSB, the archives were formally
transferred to UCSB Special Research Collections.
[identification of Item] Society of California Archivists (SCA) records, Mss 263, Department of Special Research Collections,
UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
"The Society of California Archivists (SCA) was established to promote cooperation and exchange of information among individuals
interested in the preservation and use of archival and manuscript materials in California and adjoining areas, to disseminate
information on research materials and archival methodology, and to provide a forum for the discussion of matters of common
concern. The Society originated from the meeting, in July 1971, at the invitation of Lynn B. Donovan, of a representative
group of archivists and manuscript curators in California, to discuss the formation of an archival organization as a means
of response to the burden of personal expense involved for California archivists in travelling to out-of-state professional
meetings and the need for a locally-oriented forum. This group acted as an ad hoc steering committee until the Society was
formally voted into existence in October 1971, at an organizational meeting attended by 48 persons drawn from the California
membership of the Society of American Archivists, the Manuscript Society, the Rare Books Section of the Association of College
and Research Libraries and the Conference of California Historical Societies. The meeting elected a Steering Committee, which
developed the Bylaws by which, with a few revisions, the Society is still basically governed; and it instituted annual meetings
and a newsletter published several times yearly, both of which remain important channels of communication and information
exchange for a membership which has always been somewhat heterogeneous and is separated by considerable distances from the
north to the south. In addition to regular meetings and workshops, the Society has over the years, sponsored a number of special
events and activities to further professional education and raise the profile of the archival community in California, usually
working in conjunction with other organizations and institutions, including the Society of American Archivists and the National
Archives and Record Administration.
Provision was also made from the very beginning for the creation of committees, which, while varying over the years as to
title, charges and procedures, have remained informal enough to enable the Society to respond quickly to specific needs and
to offer opportunities for any member to participate easily in devising and shaping activities, if wishing to do so. Committee
achievements include the passage in 1978 of state legislation specifically relating to the theft of library property, by a
committee on archival security, under the chairmanship of James V. Mink.
Other efforts of the Society to meet its ongoing aims have included a questionnaire and review of objectives (1976-77) and
the Committee of the Eighties Report on Goals for the 80's (1981). The Society has made a major contribution to the dissemination
of information on research materials by publishing a 'Directory of Archival Repositories in California in 1975,' with an updated
and expanded version in 1984."
--Anne Caiger, January 1985
"In July 1993 the Society was formally recognized and recorded as a non-profit Corporation. Articles of Incorporation were
written and legally filed as were the Revised Bylaws. In accordance with the non-profit corporation status the elected governing
body name was changed from Council to The Board of Directors."
--Dorothy Mackay-Collins, June 1993 HISTORY.SCA
SCA Handbook: Section 5, page 1. https://calarchivists.org/Resources/Documents/Handbook/Handbook_Part-5.pdf (accessed June
24, 2019).
This collection spans from 1971 through 2020. The bulk of the files go to 2004. It is arranged in alphabetical order and then
by date. Included are board and committee meetings, presidents, workshops, newsletters and the SCA's history files.
Annual Business Meeting, 1972-2000
Usually held during the Annual General Meeting. Files are arranged chronologically and often include agenda, minutes, reports,
resolutions, and handouts. See also: President's files.
Annual General Meeting, 1971-2003
Initially called the Annual Meeting. Files arranged chronologically. Files include programs, registration packets; lists
of participants, evaluation summaries. See also: Local Arrangements Committee, Program Committee, Board/Council.
Board Minutes, 1992-2005
Name of the governing body changed from Council to Board in 1992/1993. Files generally include meeting agenda, minutes, packets,
and related correspondence. Agenda and packets are the responsibility of the President; minutes the responsibility of the
Secretary. Earlier years sometimes only have agenda and minutes. See also: President, Secretary, and Treasurer files.
Bylaws and Their Revisions, 1971-2001
Original and revisions; originals in safe deposit box, copies in archives; in later years, bylaws are printed in the Membership
rosters
Committees, 1974-2005
Past and present standing and limited term committees, as well as task forces; arranged alphabetically by title; mainly files
of chairs. See also: Board/Council Meetings, for committee reports.
Correspondence, 1978-2009
Council and Board Meetings Minutes, 1971-1981
Name of the governing body changed from Council to Board in 1992/1993. Files generally include meeting agenda, minutes, packets,
and related correspondence. Agenda and packets are the responsibility of the President; minutes the responsibility of the
Secretary. Earlier years sometimes only have agenda and minutes. See also: President, Secretary, and Treasurer files.
Events/Activities/Projects, 1971-1995
Arranged chronologically; includes non-recurring and co-sponsored events and activities.
Financial Reports, 1984-2003
[Includes budgets and reports]. See also: Treasurer, Budgets and Treasurer's Reports, 1988-1991.
Handbooks, 1972-2001
Mainly copies, with dated revisions.
History, 1971-1996
Includes documents relating to founding of SCA, organizational charts, lists of officers, board members, and committee members;
site book.
Legal and Vital Records, 1992-1997
Originals in safe deposit box;, copies in archives; includes non-profit status papers.
Miscellaneous, n.d.
Photos, n.d.
Presidents, 1971-2005
Includes correspondence and related materials re SCA business. For many years, the majority of material is in the Board/Council
meeting files [President responsible for preparing meeting agenda and packets; in more recent years packet materials distributed
by email attachments].
Publications, 1973-2008
Copies of the publications. See also: Publications Committee files.
Secretary, 1978-2000
Includes significant correspondence; official copies of minutes/packets, handbooks, etc? See rec. mgt/ etc. for Sec. Minute
Book. See: Secretary/Treasurer for earlier years.
Secretary/Treasurer, 1971-1995
Position separated in 1978.
Task Forces, 1992-2002
Vice Presidents, 1977-1994
Also, President-Elect after 1978 and, in recent years, Program Committee Chair. Includes significant correspondence. See
also Program Committee files and President files.
Western Archives Institute, 1990-2004
Workshops, 1972-1992
Secretary, 1978-2000
Later Accessions (after 2009), 1994-2020
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Archivists -- California -- Societies, etc.
Administrative records
Correspondence
Handbooks
Newsletters
Organization files
Workshops (seminars)
Society of California Archivists -- Archives
Society of California Archivists -- History