Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO) Hands On Workshop

Title: Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO) Hands On Workshop

Description: This workshop will serve anyone learning how to encode archival finding aids using the Encoded Archival Description (EAD) standard in XML, but is focused on the local guidelines and participation logistics for the state consortium for finding aids, Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO).

The morning session will provide basic information on EAD and the standards used with it, as well as background on TARO. The afternoon session will include hands-on time using an XML editor (or alternatively, using ArchivesSpace) to build a valid EAD XML finding aid file and seeing how to upload it to TARO.

In 2020-2021, TARO underwent significant changes and upgrades, which this workshop will address, so it will be useful even to those who are familiar with the previous version of TARO. This includes required tags and attributes, suggested subject browsing terms, and a new way of uploading and managing files. Participants will learn how XML tags work, what the EAD tags are, how validate an XML file, how to use the TARO Best Practices Guidelines, and how to upload files to TARO. Detailed handouts and sample files will allow participants to continue their practice after the workshop.

Location: 

Hyatt Regency Downtown

1200 Louisiana St.

Houston, TX 77002

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with presenters available at 9:00 a.m. for pre-workshop consultations

Cost: Free

Capacity: 15

Required Knowledge and/or Equipment: No prior knowledge or skills required.  Attendees will need to bring a laptop.

Instructors: Amanda Focke and Robert Weaver

Amanda Focke, C.A., D.A.S., is Head of Special Collections at Rice University's Fondren Library. She directs the archives' digital preservation program and has guided the department's transition to TARO 2.0. She has served as Chair of TARO and is currently serving on the Governance Committee.

Robert G. Weaver is currently the Manuscript Archivist of the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University’s Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library. He oversees archival processing, focusing principally on EAD finding aid creation; curates digital collections; and serves as the archive’s social media coordinator. He has served as Chair of Texas Archival Resources Online and is currently head of its New Member Initiative.

Sponsors: this workshop is co-sponsored by the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board.

Refunds: Full refunds for annual meeting and workshop registrations are available no less than 10 business days prior to the first day of the annual meeting. Refunds requested after that date will incur a $25 penalty.

Pre-Workshop Survey: In addition to registering, please also complete the pre-workshop survey.