Society of California Archivists (SCA) records, 1971-2020, bulk 1972-2004

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Society of California Archivists
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.
Extent:
42.21 Linear Feet (93 document boxes, 1 half size document box)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[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.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

"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).

Custodial history:

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.

Physical location:
A portion of the collection is located at the Southern Regional Library Facility (SRLF).
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. A portion of the collection is stored offsite. Advance notice is required for retrieval.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[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.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
Website