INTERESTS AND SKILLS

What is the true labor of archival research? Is it assisting someone across the globe looking for collection assistance? Can it be as simple as creating an online research guide or working in tandem with an educational workshop to provide the best information for classroom use? Is it a live, virtual, 5 minute demo that can change someone's outlook on finding answers? No matter it’s form, archival research illuminates collections in new and exciting ways to patrons who never thought archives could be so cool.

There’s just something really amazing about boxes and boxes of unprocessed archival materials in need of some serious organization and accessibility. Planning a workflow? Invigorating. Coordinating and collaborating with colleagues? Inspiring. Taking a look at a collection well-processed and fully-accessible at the end? Ultimate archival satisfaction.

Archival work has a tendency to lurk in windowless rooms away from public view. Bringing that experience into the sphere of public service access gives the work we do meaning, energy, and life. Personally helping researchers navigate a well-processed collection not only benefits the public, but helps archivists better understand HOW the collections are used. Cheers to future processing improvements!

Not all archivists need to know how to digitize their materials, but the ones who are comfortable creating high-quality images can help set their collections free. Consistent, meaningful file naming, creating user-friendly data hierarchies, and making sure there's adequate backups are just as important as any physical processing project.

What are archives if they can’t be shared with as many people as possible in the ways they most connect with? Branching out and celebrating archives in view of people who never even knew what archivists do or how they could benefit from them is essential in the evolution of archival repository success.

Libraries and museums have understood for years that you need to start children loving books, facts, and history as early as possible. If that's the case, why then do many archives insist on catering mostly to adult academics and researchers? Research guides bridge the gap between the amazing stories archival collections contain and any misconceptions people may have in thinking that ‘there’s nothing in the archives for them’ or that ‘they aren’t allowed in because they aren’t an academic.’

Large projects can feel overwhelming, even if you have enough staff to handle each step along the way. It’s important to have a clear goal, to identify major milestones and possible pitfalls, and to make sure that your colleagues feel like they are part of the project’s success. After being part of several large successful and harrowing processing projects myself, I have a knack for taking a mile-high view at what’s happening and working towards attainable results for everyone involved.