All of our webinars are free, but registration is required. A recording of the webinar will be sent out to all registrants (especially those who couldn’t make the live webinar) after the webinar.

Accession, Acquisition, & Appraisal

Accession, Acquisition, & Appraisal are closely related concepts, but they are not interchangeable. In this webinar, we will walk through what each term means in archival practice and how they work together to shape both collection development and archival processing. We will look at the practical implications of each concept, from initial contact with a donor or department through formal acceptance, documentation, and long term stewardship.

January 19, 2026 at 5 pm CT

Register here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WYXhiRRWSG-zPJ2peNrZMQ

Metadata 101

Metadata is the backbone of archival discovery and long term access, but it can feel overwhelming if you are new to the field or working in a small shop without dedicated technical staff. In this webinar, we will break down what metadata actually is, why it matters, and how archivists use it to describe, manage, and preserve collections. We will walk through core concepts, common standards, and practical examples that connect directly to day to day archival work.

January 26, 2026 at 5 pm CT

Register Here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1E-6V7HiQBW8-DBKu2DE7w

Archival Loans

This webinar will walk you through the full process of managing collection loans in museums and archives, from the initial request to the return of materials. We will cover how to evaluate what can be loaned, how to prepare items for travel or display, and what documentation you need at every stage. You will learn how to build clear policies, communicate expectations with borrowing institutions, and protect your collections through condition reporting, packing standards, and loan agreements.

February 2, 2026 at 5 pm CT

Register here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kWaBB2zPRuiZWu7JEWDJZw

Restricted Materials

Every repository holds materials that cannot be opened to the public right away. This webinar will walk you through how to identify restricted materials, document the reasons for restriction, and manage access in a way that supports both ethical stewardship and institutional transparency. We will talk about common restriction categories, how to communicate restrictions to researchers, and how to build policies that balance privacy, legal requirements, and user needs.

March 2, 2026 at 5 pm CT

Register here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/A5d90iaxRBSLPg6I9igmcA

Knowledge Management

Knowledge management focuses on capturing the information people carry in their heads, organizing it, and making it usable across an organization. In this webinar, we will outline what knowledge management is, how it differs from archives, and why it often becomes the precursor to a successful archival program. We will talk about practical ways to map institutional knowledge, build documentation, and create repeatable systems that reduce risk and support long term memory for your organization.

April 6, 2026 at 5 pm CT

Register here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bBB-vpBhRjCUD3bMTSshzg

Shoestring Digital Preservation

Digital preservation does not have to be expensive or complicated. In this webinar, we will walk through realistic, budget friendly steps that museums and archives can take to protect digital files, stabilize at risk media, and build sustainable workflows over time. We will focus on simple tools, clear decision making, and low cost practices that still align with professional standards.

May 4, 2026 at 5 pm CT

Register here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/a2Br54CzTXiMV8VRM6hdAA