Wisconsin Archives Mentoring Service Presents “A Friend in Need”

Local historical societies have to answer a lot of questions.

“How old is my house?”

“Who was our town’s first teacher?”

“Do you have a picture of my great aunt?”

But who answers the historical society’s questions?

“What’s the best way to index our photos?”

“Is it legal for us to own government records?”

The Wisconsin Archives Mentoring Service (WAMS) can help you help yourself. Professional volunteer archivists are donating their time in locations across the state, visiting cultural agencies that preserve and provide access to primary source material.

“Great! How does it work?”

Visit our website at and review and complete the application process. The WAMS office will determine if the program can meet your needs and will then attempt to match your institution with a mentor. Once a match is made it is up to you and your volunteer mentor to make the necessary arrangements and to decide on a plan of action to meet your goals.

“Ok, how much does it cost?”

Some of the mentoring work can be done over the phone or via , however we recommend at least one site visit. Some projects will require several visits from the mentor. We encourage your institution to reimburse your mentor for his/her travel costs for these visits, otherwise the service is free.

“What can I expect the mentor to help with?”

A mentor should visit your historical society to meet with you and your staff to discuss your issues.

Your mentor might help you plan changes to your storage facility.

Your mentor may demonstrate procedures and processes.

Mentors may be able to help with archives related technology issues.

Additionally, mentors can help you: Develop better space and policies for public service Create a collection development plan Craft preservation and emergency plans to help protect your records. Show you the best display techniques to protect your records as you exhibit them. It’s your project, just ask!

But ultimately it is up to you and your staff to complete the task at your own schedule.

Follow up visits might be arranged to review progress or to handle the next step of a complicated process.

“How long does the mentoring relationship last?”

The duration and scope of the mentoring relationship is up to you and your mentor to agree upon. In many cases, the relationship targets a specific problem or project. When that is solved, the mentoring relationship is over.

However, the contacts and friendships made may last for years to come.

Mentoring relationships have been completed or are underway across the state.

Wisconsin’s history is a big job and state archivists want to do their part to help you as you preserve the history of your corner of the state. Volunteer mentors are currently standing by in several Wisconsin communities. Please visit our website to learn more about the program:

WAMS is brought to you through UW Oshkosh and the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board and of course, through the generous donation of time by our volunteer archivists and their employers.