Annual Christmas Letter 2017

Dear Friends,

Can you believe another year is coming to an end?! I'm not sure I even remember celebrating July 4th ...or any part of August.  Where did it all go?   For the large part of the year, time passed quickly but quietly in the archives - which is good because my personal life was often messy.  Unlike previous years there were no major construction or grant projects and so 90% of my time was engaged in archival processing (Yeah! Board of Trustee records!) and reference requests (Hooray for the documentary project completed by 302 Stories Inc!).

My biggest excitement in 2017 was a seat at the table for the library director search committee. I count myself  privileged to have played a part in shaping the future of the William C. Jason Library.  It means a lot to me to know that the university administrators value my opinion and allowed me this platform. It's too early for any big announcements yet, but after hearing from several talented candidates, I am confident that the library department has a bright future.  I can't wait to see what improvements and innovations are in store for us under new leadership in a new year.

On a personal note, I'm now the proud sister of a DSU graduate! My brother Paul graduated from DSU's aviation program last May and I am so proud of his accomplishments.  The university seems a little lonelier without him occasionally stopping by my office, but he has important grown-up work to do for the airlines.

Lastly, I wish to thank individuals who have helped to make this a wonderful year for the archives department.  At the very top of the list are the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. who have been a tremendous help and encouragement to me! Of course I appreciate the exhibit they put together for the gallery, but beyond that I can't express how much their sage advice and kind words mean to me as a young professional. Similarly, thanks to Mike and Jeanne of 302 Stories Inc. for their friendship and business. It has been a true pleasure to work with you and see the archives materials used in new, creative ways. Thank you to all my library colleagues for standing by the archives and assisting me in growing the department! 

All in all, I hope that you, my patrons, have also had a wonderful year and wish you nothing but the best in 2018. Thank you for continuing to walk this journey with me. Much is still ahead and I can't wait to share it with you!

Merry Christmas,
Joy

Tribute to Mary Maloy Scott

The University Archives and Special Collections mourns with the family of Mrs. Mary Maloy Scott and wishes to express sincere condolence. Mrs. Scott will always be appreciated for the stalwart support she gave to the archives department and her mentorship to Delaware State University students.

When the University Archives was yet a fledgling department in 2015, Mrs. Scott was the second-ever alumni to donate personal artifacts and photographs to the archival collections.  Her actions were a testament of her faith in the future of the department and the work of myself, a first-time professional archivist.  When the archives held a grand opening ceremony a year later, my greatest joy was not in public recognition, but in proving to Mrs. Scott that her faith was not misplaced.

Mrs. Scott will always be remembered for her dedication to the education of others.  Early in my acquaintance with her, she asked me to help her identify ways in which she could build personal relationships with university students.  It pleased her to contribute financially to the university, but she also wanted to impart her extensive wisdom and life-lessons into the lives of young people.

Please know that Mrs. Scott will continue to do exactly this through the presence of her personal records within the archives.  The Mary Maloy Scott collection will forever be available to student researchers. I have no doubt that they will see a life well lived and be encouraged, because this is what I see every day.  To Mary’s family and friends, know that it will always be my privilege to be the steward of her most treasured artifacts, and I will welcome you into the archives anytime you too wish to view her scrapbooks and treasure her memory.