In 2015-2016 I published a series of eleven interviews with archivists at different institutions across Canada. Today I’m sharing them in one place. I think you’ll be intrigued by the wide variety of archives and special libraries where archivists work and the range of duties they perform. I loved rereading their journeys to becoming archivists and soaking up their enthusiasm. It truly is a career for someone who loves history.
Michelle Goodridge of the University of Guelph Archival & Special Collections
Learn about Michelle’s job doing reference, processing, and research, and her favourite items: handwritten cookbooks of home recipes and remedies. (I worked at this archives for four months in 2010!)
Gina Coady of the Elgin County Archives
In this interview you’ll find out what is housed in municipal archives and read about Gina’s path to becoming an archivist.
Holly Horel of the Archives & Resource Centre at Dance Saskatchewan Inc.
This is such an interesting peek into a special library focused on dance and related arts.
Kyle Neill of the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives
This interview gives you a good idea of the range of material in an archives that includes not only government records, but also personal, family, and organizational records.
Anne Daniel of the Western University Archives and Research Collections Centre
Take a trip to my alma mater and learn about working in a university archives, and about finding a hidden gem in your collection!
Andrew Chernevych of the Galt Museum & Archives
This southern Alberta archives does a great job of customer service and outreach and has a fantastic photograph collection.
Glynys Hohmann of the Provincial Archives of Alberta
This is a great interview to read if you want to know how government records are preserved (Glynys talks specifically about vital statistics records).
Rodney Carter of the St. Joseph Region Archives of the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph
Maybe you’ve never thought about religious institutions having archives; this interview will introduce you to the rich history preserved in one such archives.
Heather Beattie of the Hudson’s Bay Company Archives at the Archives of Manitoba
Here’s another place to learn about the archives of an institution dating back to the 17th century; Heather talks about the history of the archives and shares pictures of one of her favourite items: an 1840 travel diary.
Melissa Caza of the Ontario Jewish Archives
In this interview you’ll enjoy learning about projects like documenting the stories of Ontario Jews from South Africa and Zimbabwe and conducting oral history interviews.
Krista McCracken of Algoma University (Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre [SRSC] and the Engracia de Jesus Matthias Archives and Special Collections)
The range encompassed by university archives can be very broad; here you’ll be inspired as Krista shares her love for her job at Algoma University.