Creating order for your informational needs.
Anita Mechler is an information and archival professional with 15+ years of experience in public, private, corporate, non-profit, and academic institutions and organizations.
About Me
I am a US Midwest-based information and archival professional, currently located near Detroit, Michigan (formerly of Tucson, New Orleans, Chicago, and San Antonio). I am also a creative writer and painter with a passion for how our shared history shapes our current culture and our day-to-day lives.
My Work
Anita Mechler Consulting will co-create solutions with you for your informational and archival needs, ensuring quality arrangements that are critical for the success of your organization, in helping attract new patrons and providing your current audience with easy-to-use, efficient, and helpful information. I will help you honor the unique story of your diverse history.
My Services & Experience
Archival Services
Do you have boxes of documents and photographs languishing in a closet, basement, attic, or storage space and want to access, discover, and preserve those stories and items?
Do you have electronic “piles of files” and you are at a loss on how to start organizing and using them more efficiently?
Do you want to make a plan for how to store your files in the future?
I am a Certified Archivist (CA) through the Academy of Certified Archivists (CAA), with an Archival Copyright Law certification from the Society of American Archivists (SAA), and a Rare Books and Manuscripts Certification (RBMS) from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).
I have been in the field for 15+ years.
I have experience in all aspects of archival work from arrangement and description within archival standards, to digital archiving, creating finding aids, developing archival policy, experience with preservation and disaster recovery, records management, preservation fundraising, educational development, and reference services, for both analog and digital materials.
Information Management
Do you have a website that doesn’t seem to be serving your current clientele? Would you like to attract new patrons to your business but don’t know where to start? Do you have repeated complaints of “information overload” and you need help untangling the resources you already have to create something fresh and useful?
I have a certification in the Fundamentals of Project Management from the Graham School at the University of Chicago and have participated and led in the strategic planning and execution of actions for many types of organizations. I am experienced in creating policies of management and administration, acquiring and managing collections of information, helping reorganize information and programs that need review and revamping, all while advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, management, and staff training.
Grant Management & Instruction
Do you need help writing or managing a grant from the perspective of someone who has approved and managed them? Do you need help instructing your staff, interns, volunteers, or users on archival concepts and information management?
I have been a decision-making panelist for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, National Archives and Records Administration. I have also co-written and managed three National Endowment for the Humanities Assessment and Preservation Assistance grants totaling $30,000 as well as managed a $75,000, 3-year grant from the Mellon Foundation. I served on the Donnelly Foundation advisory board. I have co-created content for learning management systems and instructional guides for multiple clients including the subjects of Records Management Programs, Retention Scheduling, and Fundamental Archival Conservation.
“Working with Anita has been easy and productive. Her knowledge of archival standards and organizing practices have greatly benefited us. In a short amount of time, we learned how to proceed – saving time & becoming more efficient. When the many “What if’s?” are overwhelming, Anita suggests solutions, ways of assessing our collection, and providing tools that bring us relief.”
Maggie and Africa Brown
Oscar Brown, Jr. Collection
My Fees*
I’m happy to speak with you and any fellow decision makers for a $75 initial consultation fee. During the initial consultation call, we will discuss the scope of your project, goals and vision, budgetary needs and constraints, and a timeline. If we decide to move forward together, I will present you and your organization with a customized proposal that will include: the phases of the project, any supplies needed, an estimated timeline, a cost estimation* (including supplies and labor fees), and further recommendations.
Contact me below to book an appointment!
*Every project is unique and therefore, every budget that I design is paired to the needs of the project and organization.
I take into consideration all aforementioned factors and more when creating a budget.
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