2014 Wrap Up

File storage devices have changed over the years. Remember to update these too before they become obsolete!

2014 had been a crazy year.  I started out the year as a circulation clerk and substitute teaching on days off.  Now I’m a full-time substitute teacher.  At least I have been working on average of 4-5 days a week, and at that rate am making in one week what I used to  in two.  However, it’s still not enough for a place of my own.  I need a real job for that.  Maybe 2015 will be my lucky year.

To my readers, thank you for sticking with me this year.  I know I posted only every other week for approximately 6 months when things got too hectic to write (April to October).  I appreciate that.  I also hope you do not mind the additional book reviews.  Reading and reviewing the history and historical fiction books is a joy and lets me practice some old skills from undergrad (history major).  Plus I’ve nearly exhausted library and archive topics based on what I have learned and practiced.  That said, I still have a few planned and will likely think of more later.  Never know when the idea will strike.

Upcoming topics in 2015 will include more book reviews, library management, diversity in libraries, and properly using Wikipedia for research.  When I get time to sit down and do some research, I’ll again address some technologies as part of the “Examining…Technologies Series.”  The same with trying to scan those old family photos I thought would have been down over the summer.  Hopefully, I can also address publishing an article, as that is a project I am working on (my disaster planning research I recently took to conference).  Keep your fingers crossed I have success…

Also, please let me know if you have any suggestions for post topics or perhaps wish to suggest a book to review my readers may enjoy.  I’ll see what I can do.

Yearly Reminders:*

With the new year upon us, make protecting you family treasures a priority.  If you celebrate Christmas like I do, remember to wrap treasured ornaments and decorations in tissue paper (or if you can obtain and afford it, archival grade tissue paper) instead of newspaper.  The same goes for Menorahs and decorations for those of you celebrating Hanukkah.  The ink used on newsprint transfers to the items easily and the paper is very acidic and can further harm items.  And this holds true whether it is for holiday items or family heirlooms.  You want them to last for generations.

Also, take the time to back-up your digital files.  One never expects to have a hard-drive failure or a bad computer virus (or similar malicious program) wipe out their files, but it can happen when you least expect it.  Plan ahead!  Also make sure your file types are stored in common formats, such as .JPEG, .TIFF, and .PDF.  Please refer back to my earlier post on this topic for additional information.

Lastly, remember to store you physical photographs and documents in acid-free conditions, whether that be in an album, scrapbook, or photo box.  Also be sure to store them in cool, dark places when not actively in use to ensure longevity.  Back in April, 2013, I wrote two posts on this topic.  In “Caring for Your Photographs,” I discussed best storage practices and presented directions for do-it-yourself photo sleeves.  The next week, I collected and presented notes from the Preservation Week 2013 webinars on photograph care.  These notes reenforced my two aforementioned posts while adding additional great resources.

It is my hope that you review these posts aimed at preserving our history for future generations and enact all or parts of the tactics covered.  Your children and grandchildren (or future ones, if they are yet to exist) and their future families will be grateful.  I chose to highlight these earlier posts for this reason and to perhaps ensure you, dear readers, make preserving these treasures a New Year’s Resolution.

Next Week:

With the holidays and the activities that will surround them, I may or may not post next week.  I have a review book for Blogging for Books I will post when I finish the title.  If I manage that for next week, I’ll post.  If not, it will be the first post of the new year.  Depends in all the holiday activities! Happy Holidays!

*Copied from “Updates and Reminders” published on 12/23/13 with a few addtions.

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