#2 Memo to Library Board -- Governor's Archive
th
Oct. 12, 2010
MEMORANDUM
TO: Library Board
FROM: Bryan J. McCormick
RE: Governor’s Archives Award
Press Release from the Wisconsin Historical Society:
Susan Braden of the Hedberg Public Library Wins Award for Archival Innovation
Susan Braden, a reference librarian at the Hedberg Public Library, is this year's winner of
the Award for Archival Innovation for her work with oral histories. This award is for new
ways of working with historical records and bringing those records to new audiences.
Susan Braden headed the effort to transcribe and digitize General Motors sit-down strike
oral histories in order to make them available on the Internet. These oral histories detail
the work, union, family, and social life of 12 men who had either participated in the 1937
GM sit-down strike in Janesville, or who worked in other Janesville industries. Originally
on audiocassettes, these interviews were converted into podcasts with accompanying
transcripts and are now available on the Hedberg Public Library's website.
The Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board
The Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board
jointly sponsor the Governor's Archives Awards annually. The Wisconsin Historical
Records Advisory Board consists of 10 members appointed by the governor. It assists
Wisconsin institutions in applying for federal grants for archival work and in improving
the appreciation and care of historical records in Wisconsin.