Vertical Files Demystified

What is a vertical file?  Simply put, it is a filing cabinet with folders dedicated to people, places, events, and other topics relating to a community.  It is the first stop for a librarian or archivist to send a researcher with questions about a popular subject.  The Society of American Archivists defines it as, “an example of an artificial collection.”

This workshop is for anyone who wants to begin a vertical file for their organization and for those looking to organize an existing one.  Nicole Menchise, LILRC Digitization and Archives Coordinator, will go step-by-step through the process of weeding, sorting, organizing files and cataloging archival materials.  A workflow will be discussed and shared with the attendees.

Code of Conduct

For questions, please email Eliscia Cirrone, ecirrone@lilrc.org.

Professional Development Hours: 2 (.2 CEUs)

FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS - We have implemented a two step verification process for security purposes and to maintain accurate attendance records.  You will need both a LILRC and a Zoom account. 

If you do not already have a LILRC account you will be prompted to create one (if you have forgotten your password, and need help resetting it you can email Eliscia at ecirrone@lilrc.org).   

If you do not already have a zoom account you will be prompted to do so upon logging into the meeting.  If this is the first time you are using Zoom, after you have created an account, you can join the meeting by entering the Meeting ID/ Password provided to you in the confirmation email.  You can access all subsequent Zoom meetings by clicking the meeting link in the confirmation email.

As the Digitization and Archives Coordinator for LILRC, Menchise is basing these webinars on some elements of the preservation workshops she has done in the past.  The inspiration came from the "Ask An Archivist" segment she writes for the Long Island Archives Newsletter published bi-monthly for LILRC.  To see the past issues and other publications from LILRC, go to https://lilrc.org/Newsletters.