How did you end up at the University of Illinois Archives? Tell us about your background.
I've always been interested in history and wanted to do something in that field, though I knew teaching wasn't for me. Working with historic documents appealed to me and I did my graduate degree at Western Washington University, earning an MA in History with a certificate in Archives and Records Management. After a couple of internships, I worked in a temporary position at the Yellowstone National Park Archives while applying all over and hoping to get The Permanent Job. I landed here at the University Archives for a two-year visiting position, which didn't seem permanent at the time, but it came with benefits. I had the idea that I’d get some much needed experience and head back home to the Pacific Northwest after my term was done. I've now been at the University of Illinois for thirteen years.
What are your responsibilities?
I manage the daily operations of the American Library Association (ALA) Archives. The University Archives has managed ALA's records for over fifty years, and it has grown to nearly 4,000 cubic feet of physical materials and over 3 terabytes of digital content. My job consists of answering reference questions, selection and appraisal of records, overseeing the arrangement and description of materials, managing our conservation priorities and digitization projects, directing outreach efforts, maintaining donor and stakeholder relations, and supervising graduate students and academic hourly workers. This is all on top of serving in committees and task forces for the University Library and professional associations.
What excites you most about your role? What are some plans/ideas you have in mind?
I love the fact that I get to do a bit of everything in managing the ALA Archives. It does mean that I am sometimes stretched thin as I'm the only professional working with the ALA Archives, but it means that I get to direct our projects and set our priorities. I also get to work closely with graduate students and help them gain some well-rounded experience in archives, which I really enjoy. Right now, I'm in the weeds supporting ALA in its 150th anniversary celebrations, so I'm very busy until the ALA Annual Conference in June. But I hope to host at least one event on campus during the fall semester celebrating ALA's sesquicentennial (involving cake).
What are the most interesting/challenging/fun aspects of the job?
One of my colleagues says that we get to read other people's mail and diaries for a living, and she's right! I love doing historical research and working in archives provides ample opportunity to do just that. I'm always excited to learn something new and even after over decade working at the ALA Archives, I'm always running into some fact or aspect of library history that I didn't know that inspires, outrages, or amuses me. And I really enjoy sharing that knowledge with our researchers, the public, and ALA staff and members, especially when it's something they were not expecting!