Celebrating Archives Month with SCRC Staff Highlights (Part II)

We're back with another installment of our SCRC staff highlights, to celebrate the Society of American Archives' 2023 American Archives Month theme, "The Power of Collaboration." Read on to get to know a few more of our colleagues.

Shelly Black, Digital Archivist

How would you describe what you do, in one sentence?

I preserve the "bits": digital materials from storage media and devices, e.g. floppy disks, CDs, or hard drives, as well as the cloud.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

Finding new ways—like our virtual reading room—for providing access to materials that were made using obsolete tech. Also, working with a creative and fun group of colleagues in SCRC!

What is something that most people probably don't know about your work, or about archives in general?

Archivists have a hands-on role in shaping the historical record. In SCRC we're addressing oppressive, outdated language in our collections and how to make the stories of historically excluded groups more findable.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Given software or hardware changes, data loss, and other tech-related risks, digital files require care to remain usable in the future. If you need help preserving your scholarly work, reach out!

Laura Abraham, University Library Technician

How would you describe what you do, in one sentence?

Work with the digitizing and processing of our digitized archival materials so they can be accessible, discoverable, and preserved.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

When we put digitized materials online, they become readily available to anyone anywhere in the world. We have a plethora of resources related to NC State, and also collections covering North Carolina history, agriculture, architecture, and more. I've always been proud of my part in helping researchers have access to these materials.

Taylor Wolford, Special Collections Librarian

How would you describe what you do, in one sentence?

I assist researchers with accessing collections by arranging for research appointments, assisting with outreach and engagement events, and working on special research projects as needed.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is that I am constantly learning new things about history, how to teach with historical materials, and how to use technology to promote access and learning in the archives.

What is something that most people probably don't know about your work, or about archives in general?

Archival workers may come into contact with historically traumatic, graphic, and/or controversial archival collections that are triggering to witness. As a result, there are emotional impacts of working in the archives that are often unexpected and difficult to process.

--

Hear from other folks in the Special Collections Research Center in our earlier post, and feel free to reach out using our contact form if you have any questions about archives and using our collections.