Something that has been in the works for a little over a month has finally reached an exciting new culmination today, and marks a new beginning for this Apprentice Librarian.
I mentioned in the post about my Fall 2010 semester that I had taken an extra course on digital archiving. I talk a lot about this course over at my Memoria Praeteriti blog. This course worked closely with VOICES of September 11th to build a platform to bring the Living Memorial project’s collection of digitized items closer to an archival standard. It was a fascinating course that reinvigorated my interest in archival work and the current technological developments in that area.
To get to the point, there was a recent opening at VOICES for their digital archivist position. With a strong recommendation from both the professor of the course and the current archivist, I interviewed with them. I found out today that I have been offered the position and will be starting with them on Monday.
It is part-time and flexible, so it will mesh nicely with the internship I am doing this upcoming semester as well as my coursework at SCSU. In addition, this is going to provide me with an incredible experience beyond the work I have been doing at Buley Library. I must admit, though, I am a trifle uneasy. People have a lot of faith in my capabilities and skills, but at times I wonder whether that is a little misplaced. I consider the fact that I am only halfway done with the MLS and there seems to be tons of stuff still to learn and do. I know I shouldn’t let it really bother me, and go in with an open mind ready to absorb what I need to understand. I’m sure everyone has dealt with these niggling questions and doubts when on the precipice of something big and new. The unease is nicely offset, though, by the excitement that I feel in opening yet another new chapter in my life.
One more thing – during my interview I did ask about whether I would be allowed to comment or write about what I would be doing at VOICES. I will not discuss the stories of the victims families or survivors and witnesses; nor will I write about anything that is brought up during the organization’s workshops. I will, though, write about the experiences and challenges I will encounter as a burgeoning archivist for a unique organization and project.
Congratulations, Frank!! That’s awesome. I just saw your blog link on the NMRT discussion about online presence. You will be a perfect fit for VOICES. I hope I can find some time to help out more with them, too – I was planning to over winter break a bit, but ended up getting a bit overwhelmed by my intersession course…
Best of luck there! And, I hope next semester’s Digital Archives class is as cool as our was.
Thanks Arianna! I’m really excited about it, and there is some cool new things that are in the works. I’d also love to have your help whenever you’re able to. There is sooo much to do, it’s mind-boggling sometimes. Will left things in good shape for me, but we’re in the process of building a new database system, which is going to change all of the procedures. Good luck with the semester!