As we gear up for the holiday work parties and look forward
to the President’s annual open house, we at the Delaware State University
Archives want to take a moment to wish you a Merry Christmas!
2015 has been an exciting year for the archives! For the
first part of the year the archives rested vacantly in a corner of the William
C. Jason library. The doors of suite 227
were locked with half-finished projects resting on the desks within. In April I passed through those doors for the
first time and made the leap from a recent graduate to University Archivist and
Special Collections Librarian. To say I had only a modicum of trepidation would
be lying. I was no longer an archivist in theory, but became the quintessential
“lone arranger” (archivist jargon for someone who is the sole steward of an
archive). I had a lot to prove to myself and to the
hiring committee who had chosen to take a chance on me.
Having now passed nearly three-quarters of a year in the DSU
archives, I may proudly say I have been successful in my adaption. I astonish myself with the recall I have for
historical facts about this university, the number of acquaintances I have made
on this campus, and the organization I have already imposed on the collections
in my care. The projects I have
undertaken are not small feats. I have
accessioned 345 linear feet into the archive, am currently managing a $145,000 grant
from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and am contributing to the
publication of a book in honor of the 125th anniversary of Delaware
State University in 2016. How many can
claim projects such as these in their first year of professional employment? I
am so fortunate!
Speaking of the IMLS grant, this fall the archives became
the workplace for two more fantastic archivists. Jasmine Smith and Dan DelViscio joined my
team and immediately set about helping me to promote the archives. They continually introduce new ideas for
problem solving, work diligently, and are enthusiastic about all projects set
before them. Our patrons can look
forward to experiencing a remarkable outdoor exhibit next summer thanks to the
creativity and collaboration of Jasmine and Dan.
As 2015 draws to a close I look forward to 2016. I cannot wait to see what the 125th
anniversary year will hold. I am
confident that at times the archives will be called upon heavily and our days
will be hectic, but I also know that Jasmine, Dan, and I will use every opportunity to further instill the archives
into the core of Delaware State University.
We will do our best
to promote Delaware State University’s vision to be “one of America’s most highly respected Historically Black Colleges and
Universities.”
Stay
tuned! More exciting projects coming in 2016! Until then, Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!
Yours,
Joy
