Elko hosts gathering aimed at Nevada's Indian heritage

A third gathering aimed at developing and sustaining tribal libraries, museums and archives is scheduled at Great Basin College in Elko Sept. 28-29.

The theme of the event is Tribal Information Centers of the Twenty-first Century, and participants will be seeking resources for documenting Nevada's Indian Heritage.

Northeastern Convocation of the Tribal Library Leadership Project was created by the Nevada State Library and Archives and is part of a five-state regional project of the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Two earlier Convocations took place in Reno in January 2000 and January 2001.

A story-telling marathon will take place Sept. 28. Other activities include a media faire featuring exhibits by the Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada and the Pyramid Lake Museum and Visitor's Center, continuous video programming on Nevada Indian heritage, and hands-on workshops in the Great Basin College's Computer Lab.

All interested parties are welcome to participate.

-- Identify and articulate needs of tribal information centers (libraries, archives, museums, cultural centers, oral history projects)

-- Build awareness of state and private resources

-- Create partnerships and ongoing relationships with information resources/communities

-- Facilitate collaboration amongst attendees

"The Convocation will provide the capstone to Nevada's tribal leadership project," said Sara Jones, administrator of the Nevada State Library and Archives. "The setting in Northeastern Nevada provides a unique opportunity to include residents who were unable to attend the earlier meetings due to geographical distance."

Jones administers the Nevada State Library and Archives, a Carson City-based agency providing leadership and guidance to libraries throughout the state, as well as knowledge services to state government.

Great Basin College was founded in 1967 as Elko Community College. To better reflect its service area -- a 200-mile swath of Nevada including Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander and White Pine counties -- the institution became Great Basin College in 1995, expanding in 1999 to a four-year program.

The Nevada State Library and Archives is part of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs, which also includes the Division of Museums and History, the Office of Historic Preservation and the State Arts Council. DCA serves NevadaOs citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, preservation and promotion of cultural resources, and education. Other key components of the department are the Comstock Historic District Commission, the Literacy Coalition, the Advisory Committee on Participatory Democracy, and the Commission for Cultural Affairs. General information on the department is on the Web at http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us.

Preliminary inquiries and preregistration information may be obtained from:

Sara F. Jones, Administrator

Nevada State Library

100 N. Stewart

Carson City, Nev. 89710

(775) 684.3315

e-mail: sfjones@clan.lib.nv.us