Wednesday, November 8, 2017
The New York State Archives and Archives Partnership Trust awarded the 2017 Annual Archives Award for Program Excellence in a Historical Record Repository award to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture of the New York Public Library. This award is presented annually to an organization in the state that exemplifies excellence in an archival program. The award was presented to Kevin Young, Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at a ceremony at the Cultural Education Center in Albany recently.
The Schomburg counts among its achievements more than 90 years of service as a historical archive and research and cultural repository. The Schomburg is one of the preeminent organizations for the research, analysis and interpretation of the global black experience in multiple dimensions – historical, political, social, cultural, and economic. For bibliophiles, historians, genealogists, authors, activists, researchers, scholars, photographers, artists and others, the Schomburg is a locus of daily activity. Panels, lectures, conferences, exhibitions, readings, book signings, research and reference services, music, art, and drama engage visitors, providing continued opportunities for education, scholarship, research, creativity, and cultural expression. A dedicated, professional staff works judiciously to keep the institution and the collections relevant through strategic decision-making, partnerships, innovative cross-cultural programming and an increased capacity to interpret and present centuries of history in a context that resonates with 21st century audiences.
The Schomburg holds more than 10 million items in its archival holdings, and includes the papers of icons such as Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and Maya Angelou. The most recent addition is the Lapidus Center for the Study of the Transatlantic Slave Trade that affords the development of a major collection of materials capable that will stimulate education and dialogue, while creating a forum for new scholarship as researchers explore archives throughout the world.
“We’re proud to present the Archives Awards to recognize and celebrate individuals, organizations, and students who have done exceptional work in preserving and promoting New York’s history,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “We congratulate all the winners on their achievements and urge them to continue maintaining and researching historical records that document our heritage.”
“The Annual Archives Awards is an opportunity to acknowledge the excellent work that organizations and individuals do every day to maintain and preserve historical records,” said Regent Roger Tilles. “We’re also honored to acknowledge the exceptional work students across the state have done to incorporate archival records in their research and bring New York State’s history to life. Congratulations to all the winners."
“The Board of Regents and I congratulate the winners of the 2017 Archives Awards,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “We’re proud to honor exemplary maintenance and use of archival records so our history is preserved for future generations. We applaud the student winners for their outstanding use of historical records in their research and encourage them to continue to explore New York’s rich history at archives, libraries and cultural institutions across the state.”
“The State Archives presents these awards annually to celebrate the significant role archives perform and to honor the archivists, researchers, educators and students who are analyzing and sharing information contained in New York’s historical records,” said State Archivist Thomas Ruller.
The annual Archives Awards program takes place every October, during American Archives Month, and recognizes outstanding efforts in archives and records management work in New York State by a broad range of individuals and organizations.
A complete list of this year’s award winners follows:
* Cheryl Steinbach Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Records Management:
Town of Livonia
* William H. Kelly Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Archival Program Development:
Warren County Records Storage Center and Archives
* Annual Archives Award for Excellence in State Agency Records Management Program Development:
NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
* Annual Archives Award for Program Excellence in a Historical Records Repository:
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
* Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of the State Archives:
Sarah F. Rose, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Disability Studies Minor, University of Texas at Arlington
* Lifetime Achievement Award for the Protection of Archives or Cultural Collections in New York State:
Richard Lord, Chief of Mitigation Programs and State Hazard Mitigation Officer, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
* Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 9-12:
The following students from Tamarac High School, Brunswick Central School District:
o Sara Kuken
o Ryan Hayden
o Nate LaPlante
o Elizabeth Machnick
o Kaylan Comache
o Katherine Champagne
o Lillah Jacobson-Schultz
o Sophia Baldwin
o Anthony Styles
o Lexis Carista
o Shannon Walsh
o Hunter Yearsley
o Renna Poulin
Teachers: Michelle Furlong, Steve Pomposello and Mark Spitzer
* Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 6-8:
The following student from The Wheatley School, East Williston Union Free School District:
o Manav Bansal
Teacher: JoBeth Roberts
* Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 4 & 5:
The following students from Drexel Avenue Elementary School, Westbury Union Free School District:
o Ryan Alvarez
o Alexander Munguia
Teacher: Patricia Matarazzo
