As the semester begins, the first phase of my work at the MSPCA is ending. I submitted my report to the appropriate parties, who will then present it to the CEO. I’ll still be in contact with the assistant to the CEO and the grant writer, but for now, I’m not actively working for them. Once more grant money is secured, then the next phases of the project can continue, and I’ll be involved further.

It was a great project, and it looks fabulous on my resume (which I’ve just updated for the most recent round of job applications). I am quite pleased with the work I was able to accomplish this summer, and am gratified to know that my work was appreciated. It helped me sort of work out what I might want to do “when I grow up.” It got me thinking more about what areas of archives I really am interested in. I love the way archives can be used to illustrate the history of an organization, and how the archives can be used as a marketing tool, in addition to the academic/research side of things. This marketing doesn’t have to be in a corporate environment, either. A library needs to market itself (to secure funding), a town needs to interest tourists, etc.

I think archives can play a huge role in this kind of marketing and public outreach. I am, of course, being interested in an academic archives environment, concerned with the educational role of an archives: linking the primary source materials with the work of instructors. Finding creative ways to use the materials in an archives (or special collection, manuscript collection, etc) to inform the public of our presence will be a step forward towards making archivists less like ‘passive guardians’ and more like educators themselves.

Feeling rather optimistic, and waxing poetical about the profession today. Don’t worry. It won’t last; it’s still the beginning of the semester!