Recently in Mudd Library Staff Category

Name/Title: Maureen Callahan - Public Policy Papers Project Archivist

Title/Duties: My official job title is Public Policy Papers Project Archivist. Like everyone at Mudd, I do a lot of different things, but my main focus is being a good intermediary between the feet, yards, even miles of archival records that we have and researchers who want to come to use them. I spend time figuring out how to describe materials in aggregate and make sense of their context and content. Or, to put it another way, I dig through a lot of dusty stuff so you don't have to.

I also work with other archivists and librarians here to leverage the tools of a networked world to make our resources available to people who might never be able to come to Princeton to do research. We're looking at possibilities for mass digitization so that we can put our actual stuff – and not just descriptions of it – on the internet.

Recent projects: Part of the reason why I enjoy my job so much is because I get to do a lot of different things. Dan Linke and I are currently working on an exhibit about the 1912 election – reading about characters like Eugene Debs, Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson (and let's face it, to a lesser extent) William Howard Taft is extremely engaging, and we're having fun thinking about ways to explain the contexts and parallels of 1912 and today.

Over the summer I processed the papers of Judge Harold R. Medina, a figure so well-known during the 1940s and '50s that he made the cover of Time magazine, but who is rarely referenced today. Medina presided over the trial of the leaders of the Communist Party, USA, and over a huge anti-trust case against investment banking firms in the early 1950s. After spending quality time with Judge Medina, I would say that there are possibly dozens of articles and dissertations to be written from the content of his records. I hope that we see an uptick in researchers now that his papers are more fully processed!

Worked at Mudd since: I've worked at Mudd since February of 2011. Before that, I led a project to digitize rare materials from the Middle East and North Africa at George Washington University, and previous to that I was an archivist at the Penn Museum.

Why I like my job/archives: Well, at an esoteric level, I believe that an honest look at the historical record tends to destroy previous conceptions of what is normal, and I think that there's something extremely liberating about this. Even Mudd's records of fairly mainstream characters have the power to challenge my previous conceptions of how power presents itself, how people behave, and how the nation operates.

Much more concretely, I like working with people and I like working with technology. We get a lot of questions that start with "my ancestor went to Princeton. Can you tell me about him?" I appreciate the chance to connect people with the people who came before them, and sometimes surprise them with the richness of our records. This process is rewarding, and I'm optimistic about the capabilities of the web to bring our resources to more people.

Favorite item/collection: I'm not sure if it's my favorite, but last year we accessioned the records of Elmer C. Werner, an IRS agent who had the goods on Halliburton's (well, the group that existed that eventually became Halliburton) illegal contributions to Lyndon Baines Johnson's senate campaign. I wrote a blog post about it, which tells the whole sordid story:

blogs.princeton.edu/mudd/2011/03/how-high-can-an-income-tax-fix-go-the-lbj-tax-scandal-that-youve-probably-never-heard-of.html

Name: Brandon Joseph ‘12

Student Question: What is the favorite part of the collections at Mudd? I love to check out the letters sent to the public officials and organizations that have collections at Mudd. I feel as if the letters from the general population in particular serve as a great way to measure public opinions related to a given topic. While processing the McGovern papers, for example, I found hundreds of letters from concerned citizens from across the nation. Some asked the presidential candidate to endorse a particular opinion, some praised McGovern for his work and wished him well during his campaign, while others blasted McGovern because of his policies. There were even tons of letters and drawings from school children organized by teachers from around the country. The letters in collections provide access to perspectives that may have been lost over time.

 Paula Jabloner (left) and Adriane Hanson meet for the first time at the 2011 Society of American Archivists meeting in Chicago.  Jabloner managed Mudd Library's first ACLU records processing project in the mid-1990s that addressed 1,200 linear feet of records and identified additional historical records.  Hanson is now addressing 2,400 l.f. of ACLU records, including those identified by Jabloner.  Both projects were supported by the NHPRC.

On January 3, 2011 we welcomed Anne Marie Phillips to the Princeton University Archives staff. Anne Marie is Princeton’s first University Records Manager, her appointment underscoring Princeton’s commitment to maintaining its records at a level of quality that will best support the work of the University and ensure the comprehensive documentation of Princeton’s history. Though part of the Archives, Anne Marie’s portfolio is to serve the entire University community’s records needs.

Anne Marie is responsible for expanding and improving Princeton’s current records management program, which was created in conjunction with the Office of General Counsel and other University administrative units, and consists of records transfer information and procedures, as well as a General Records Schedule. Records transferred to the Mudd Manuscript Library are accessioned, processed, and made available as a component of the University Archives function of Mudd. Anne Marie will be updating and expanding the General Records Schedule, creating specialized schedules for records that are unique to various administrative units, and developing and providing a constellation of policies, procedures, and services that will make it easier for University staff to determine what to do with the records they create and use as they perform their jobs.

Name: Christie Lutz

Title/Duties: Assistant University Archivist for Public Services I am responsible for overseeing and coordinating public services at Mudd Library. This includes managing our general reference account; handling a variety of in-depth remote and in-person reference inquiries, from researchers within the University community to those around the world; introducing Princeton undergraduate classes to and assisting them with the use of our materials; and scheduling and working with staff and student assistants in order to maintain day-to-day services. And of course,”other duties as assigned.”

Recent projects: Helping curate our current exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the University Archives.

Worked at Mudd since: 2005, but was a project archivist here also from 2000-2002, and was a graduate student intern in 1999. I was promoted to my current position in September 2008.

Why I like my job/archives: Each day is different, bringing new challenges, opportunities to engage in varied subject areas, and interaction with unique, interesting and surprising documents, photos, and objects. At Mudd I’ve had the opportunity to process material ranging from Adlai Stevenson campaign materials to Brooks Bowman’s (composer of the standard “East of the Sun and West of the Moon”) personal papers. As someone with an American Studies background, I find Mudd, and archives generally, a wonderful place to work. Also, at Mudd we’re embarking on digital and other technological initiatives that are allowing researchers to access and use our holdings in new ways, and we’re opening up new avenues for collaboration with users and colleagues on and off campus.

Favorite item/collection: I always have fun working with the Princeton University Archives Memorabilia Collection, especially when it comes to curating exhibitions. The experience of looking for appropriate objects for exhibits can be like sifting through a Princeton-themed (and curated) thrift shop.

Name: John DeLooper

Title and Duties: Special Collections Assistant

I provide public service at the reception desk, including registering patrons, recording the circulation of materials and photocopy orders, and assisting visitors to the Mudd Library with initial reference inquiries. I also respond to e-mail reference questions, and create and maintain databases that aid in the compilation of monthly statistics for Mudd’s circulation and public service operations. In addition, I schedule classes and meetings in the library’s classroom, and work on other assorted projects such as assembling exhibitions and the James A. Baker III Oral History Project.

Recent projects: I contributed the 1983 case for the 2008 Alumni Exhibition, and created a new database to handle our circulation that will replace the old DOS-era system in use since 1992.

Worked at Mudd since: August 2, 2007.

Why I like my job/archives: I wanted to work in a library/archives setting because I enjoy helping others find information. Working with our collections is like working with history hands on, and I get to see the results of the work everybody puts in at the Mudd Library through the enthusiasm and joy researchers show when we help them find an unexpected resource or item.

Favorite item/collection: Historical Photograph Collection—seeing how the university, its buildings, and students have changed over the years is a way to step into the past and make history feel alive. It is amazing to see both what has changed and how much remains constant.

Please note that as of September 2011, John has moved on to become a reference archivist at Hudson County Community College. We wish John the very best in his endeavors in his new professional position.