Barkley resigns from the Brethren Historical Library and Archives.

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

Terry Barkley displays an old manuscript at the Brethren Historical Library and Archives. He has served as archivist and director of the BHLA since Nov. 2010.

Terry Barkley has announced his resignation as archivist and director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Oct. 31 will be his last day at the BHLA, allowing him to complete two full years in the position.

His resignation is due to family changes in Alabama, which require his daily assistance at home.

His accomplishments include a smooth transition following the death of former archivist Ken Shaffer Jr., and the continuation of projects that Shaffer had begun including collaborations with the Brethren Digital Archives and the Civilian Public Service website. He has expanded working relationships with the Fellowship of Brethren Genealogists and the Brethren Heritage Center in Ohio, and has served ex-officio on the Germantown Trust in Philadelphia and the Brethren Heritage Committee. He also was a facilitator at the Alexander Mack Jr. Conference at the Young Center at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College in June.

Major BHLA acquisitions during his service include the H. Austin Cooper papers and a wooden chest (c. 1817) belonging to Henry Kurtz, the first Brethren publisher.

He joined the Church of the Brethren as a member in 1980, and began as director of the BHLA on Nov. 1, 2010, bringing experience from previous positions as archivist at Marion (Ala.) Military Institute and as archivist/museum curator at Bridgewater (Va.) College 1993-2005.

Source:7/26/2012 Newsline