ROBERT STAKELEY

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Robert O. Stakeley is the History Center Affiliates Program (HCAP) Coordinator at the Senator John Heinz History Center (History Center), where he provides various levels of instruction and guidance for a diverse patron or member audience.  He oversees the Affiliates Program (HCAP), a program that assists 400 plus historically-minded organizations, including historical societies, museums, libraries, preservationist groups, community councils, churches, theaters, etc., in achieving their goals by helping them in various capacities through advocating best practices.  Previously, Robert had served as the Docent Program Coordinator at the History Center, which involved providing training for the more than seventy-five History Center docents (teachers or tour guides).  Robert is a former librarian, archivist, and educator who has extensive experience in the collecting, preserving, and providing access to collections.  This work has included delivering reference services; conducting research; accessioning, processing, digitizing, and cataloguing of collections; publishing of research, including articles, digital stories, oral histories, and transcriptions; and the proper handling and displaying of collections.  As a life-long educator and learner, Robert enjoys working with people of all ages, especially students, in providing access to primary and secondary sources.  His approach to history and in “bringing collections to life” is simple – establish a connection and make it fun.