Barbara J. Little

National Park Service, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW (2275), Washington, DC  20240-0001, Phone: 202-354-2130, Fax: 202-371-5102,  barbara_little@nps.gov

Description of past and current involvement in public outreach and education

I am an archeologist in the National Park Service's Archeology & Ethnography program of the National Center for Cultural Resources. I received my introduction to archaeology and the public through working with the Archaeology in Annapolis project, where I gave on-site tours for the public program. I joined the NPS in 1992 and have been with this office since 1999.  One of my areas of responsibility is public outreach.  Our office does a good bit of public outreach through our web site: www.cr.nps.gov/aad/. I invite comments, additions, etc. on our web pages, as we want them to be as useful and useable as possible.  I also work on developmental opportunities for the NPS shared competency for archeologists and interpreters (module 440).  Two online resources in support of the shared competency are available:  "Archeology for Interpreters: A Guide to Knowledge of the Resource" and "Interpretation for Archeologists: A Guide to Increasing Knowledge, Skills and Abilities."  Our office also develops products through a cooperative agreement with the SAA.  Most recently, we funded the Archaeology Fact Sheets for educators, media and policymakers. I edited Public Benefits of Archaeology (University Press of Florida, 2002) and am particularly interested in the valuation and interpretation of archeological places.

Interest in PEC Membeship

I continue as a member of the PEC because I want to know what other professionals are doing in public outreach and education and I want to be a member of that community of focused individuals, so the network and listserv are important. I would also hope that the PEC recognizes the activities and accomplishments of its members. I can offer my interest in expanding PEC’s influence beyond the traditional K-12 materials to broader public audience.  I also offer my experience in the NPS and my increasing involvement with the Interpretive Development Program in my agency.

Area of interest: Providing the general public with opportunities to learn about archaeology and the past through a variety of media, including on-site and virtual tourism, books, and television.

Target audience: General public