(Breathe) Will I remember what I learned in the EAD/EAC-CPF workshop when I generate my first EAD/EAC-CPF finding aids? What is the difference between a traditional and a
non-traditional (i.e. artificial) archive? Is an archival collection legitimate
when the donor(s) was advised to maintain records for future generations? What are
the pros and cons of the archivist certification? Is it possible for humans to
present objective information? Can you grasp the significance of high-level
records management systems? Water cooler topic: Library of Congress subject
headings… Coffee Pot break: What number of finding aids have you completed?
Finding Aid—Finding Aid or Evaluation Summary & Finding Aid? What about web
clips?
The other day someone asked me if this (fellowship) is my
dream job. Until I was asked that question, I hadn’t thought of doing what I
love for a living as a dream job. I just thought about being a comfortable and
fulfilled person. It might sound strange. I suppose much like listening to an
older person being asked what his/her favorite food is and he/she responding that
they never thought of it before. That he/she just liked to enjoy food and that
no one food had to be singled out as a favorite. Since I have the opportunity
to do what I love---processing African American archives & working with
media---I suppose this is my dream job. It is where I want to be and I am doing
what I want to do. What’s better than that? As Illinois House Representative Monique Davis said, "I saw a need and I filled it!" That's how I feel about my job = my work = my vocation.
In a group discussion with Dr. Salvatore during the weekly
Archives Seminar, I surprised myself when I openly disagreed with her on the
topic of defining principles of traditional and non-traditional archives. I was a bit taken aback by my own
actions but as a “budding” archivist and representative of the newest
generation of information specialists, I felt it was important to share my
views and to receive feedback. Dr. Salvatore was very encouraging in her
response to my views. There are various types of archives, ones that only house
traditional assets such as manuscripts, papers, books, etc. and there are
archives that house non-traditional assets such as media (tapes, DVDs,
born-digital materials), ephemera, photographs, etc. Our responsibility, as
archivists, includes providing all-inclusive methods of access to
the public.Working together to figure those methods out is the fun part...
In the gamut of one week, I viewed two interviews,
completed one evaluation summary with five tapes, one An Evening with..., partially-processed one series within a special
collection, learned that Luther Vandross covered Dionne Warwick original songs
and that her style is comparable (heart breaking moment), attended one lecture
facilitated by Dr. Reed, one seminar facilitated by Dr. Salvatore (pictured
above, left), read three chapters on Abolitionism, six articles related to
archival processing methods, completed one survey, one report, devised a
processing schedule, etc. and managed to remain attentive, energetic and
receptive during The HistoryMakers staff work-dinner Friday evening.
Looking forward to the developments of week four...(Stop)
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