Using LibApps to Manage the COVID-19 Community History Project
In the Spring of 2020, the University Archives at Minnesota State University Mankato, developed a Community History project to document the COVID-19 Pandemic experiences of the university and greater regional community. The project quickly expanded into a remote work opportunity for student employees, primarily international students. The University Archives utilized LibGuides to create a project website that included general project information as well as student worker and student supervisor training materials. Along the way, we also utilized LibAnswers to capture stories from individuals and LibWizard to quiz student employees. This presentation will discuss the COVID-19 Community History Project as well as how and why we utilized LibGuides (and the connected tools) for our project website.
Product Covered: LibGuides
Daardi Sizemore Mixon is the University Archivist at Minnesota State University Mankato. In addition to her role as Archivist, she serves as the library liaison to the History and Social Studies departments. She received her MLIS and MA in History from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Adam Smith is an Archives Technician at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He received a BA in History from Missouri S&T in 2010 and an MA in Public History with a concentration in Museum Studies from UW-Milwaukee in 2012. His primary responsibilities are working with student workers, helping researchers and accessioning, processing and preserving the collection.
Heidi Southworth is the Digital Initiatives Librarian at Minnesota State University, Mankato and manager of Cornerstone, the University's Institutional Repository. She has a MLIS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Anne Stenzel is an Archives Technician, her work involves preserving and providing access to historical information about Minnesota State University, Mankato and South Central Minnesota, including photos, yearbooks, student newspapers, oral histories and more about Minnesota State University, Mankato and South Central Minnesota in ARCH, the University Archives Digital Collections. In addition, Anne helps to maintain the University Records Center, and assists as needed in the University Archives and Southern Minnesota Historical Center.
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Library Type: Public university, academic library
Demographic Served: Mostly University students, faculty, and staff; open to community users
Population Size: More than 14,000 students, Nearly 1,600 faculty and staff = Approximately 15,600
Staff Size: Library staff size 40
Plan for Fall 2020: Hyflex (Hybrid of Zoom and in-Person) and online.