Professional archivists and records managers,
wherever they are employed, often help preserve historical records by
assisting other institutions with advice, information, referrals, and
on-site assistance. Like lawyers, doctors, nurses, librarians and other
professionals, archivists' volunteer contributions bring credit to their
field and serve their communities. Many institutions, however, are unaware
for whom to contact for such assistance. The Wisconsin Archives Mentoring
Service offers archivists a new opportunity to help institutions that
have historical records but that cannot employ professionally trained
staff to care for them.
If you are interested in donating some time
to a Wisconsin institution to improve the care of historical collections,
this mentoring program is your chance. By registering your name with
the Wisconsin Archives Mentoring Service, you will be matched with an
institution that needs a mentor's expertise. Working with the institution,
you can develop any program of assistance that matches your available
time with the institution's needs. You will have the satisfaction of
seeing your expertise quickly help to improve historical collections
and increase the institution's appreciation of its holdings. Mentoring
can improve your professional standing in a community and foster lasting
and supportive relationships with institutions.
