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Giving Back
by Jody Lloyd Thompson
For the past year, I have been the acting head of the Georgia Tech Archives and Special Collections. My main responsibilities are to plan, evaluate, implement, and develop detailed policies and procedures for the archives and special collections. Basically, I protect and maintain historical materials.
I am lucky to have this opportunity to be head of an archives. In most cases, one would have to be in the profession for at least ten years before applying for this type of position. I have only been in this profession for five years, but I was trained by the best! My former boss and mentor prepared me for this adventure. For the past few years, I have watched and learned from her, but now, it is my turn to show what I have learned, my turn to give back to the profession, as my mentor has done for me.
How To Give Back, On And Off The Clock
There are numerous ways to give back to one’s profession. In the archives field, one can reach this goal by publishing, lecturing, mentoring, creating online resources, or participating in professional organizations. Following are some of the ways I have been able to participate in these activities and contribute to the archival profession.
On occasion, I have spoken at conferences and given lectures to the archives and library community. In 2002, for example, I presented at the annual conference of the Georgia Council of Media Organizations (GaCOMO). There, I discussed the value of historical records and the best handling and storage procedures for archival materials.
I am also a part-time instructor at Emory University’s (Atlanta, Georgia) Center for Lifelong Learning. I instruct students unfamiliar with archival standards and methods, while using personal materials and student collections. Although this course is offered only twice a year, many students are interested in learning how to maintain and preserve family collections.
In addition to the speaking engagements and lectures, I am also on several committees, which promote the use and access of historical materials. In 2002 and 2003, I was the chair of the Georgia Archives Week Planning Committee. As chair, it was my responsibility to promote a statewide celebration of the value of historical records in Georgia. I served as the primary contact with other archival repositories, libraries, and vendors sponsoring Georgia Archives Week. This committee called attention to libraries, archives, historical societies, and local government agencies working in preserving Georgia’s documentary heritage. Participating organizations had the opportunity to stage an event, exhibit, lecture, workshop, etc., for their local community. In order to aid the participants, the committee and I developed an event guide, which gave them program ideas, event planning checklists, and information on how to work with their local media.
Outreach
Online resources are another way for me to contribute to the archival profession, and the Georgia Tech online tutorial is a perfect example. In 2002, my coworkers and I designed and created this tutorial with the undergraduate and graduate students of several Georgia Tech campus departments in mind. Before the students visit the archives, I request that they review the tutorial, which helps give them an understanding of archival standards and polices.
This online resource discusses the main objectives of the archives, which are preservation and providing accesses to users. The tutorial gives examples of primary and secondary resources, citing of sources, and demonstrates proper archival standards and policies. The intent is to encourage students to visit the archives, and the ultimate goal to have students walk away with an understanding and appreciation of the materials and the archives.
Finding additional outreach opportunities to engage faculty and staff in the use of the archival collection is an important aspect of the archival profession. For instance, I have been involved with Georgia Tech’s Literature, Communication and Culture program. The professors and I worked together to develop a class that uses primary resources to study the role of Georgia Tech during the Victorian era, with special emphasis on culture and industry.
Professional Development
It is very important to be a part of professional organizations. I am a member of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) and the Society of Georgia Archivists (SGA). Both organizations provide opportunities for professional development and networking, such as annual meetings, workshops, committees, and e-mail lists. As a member of these organizations, individuals enjoy the benefits of newsletters, journals, professional publications, continuing professional education, and career opportunities.
Holding office or heading a committee is a great way to contribute within these professional organizations. For SGA, I am the Subscriptions Manager. This gives me the opportunity to meet members and subscribing institutions.
Being Part Of Something Special
All these various ways of contributing to the profession have helped my career. Teaching at Emory, being the Acting Head of the Georgia Tech archives, and being a member of the Society of Georgia Archivists have opened new doors for me. I hope to encourage others to go into the archival profession; it is a truly fascinating field.
Jody Lloyd Thompson is the acting head of the Georgia Tech archives. She has a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degrees in History from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia.