art by Heather Lloyd
Areas of Competency
Competency A: Demonstrate awareness of the ethics, values, and foundational principles of one of the information professions, and discuss the importance of those principles within that profession.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
The foundational principles that define and guide archival work are informed by professional standards. However, in practice, I have found ethical issues are rarely simple or clearly defined. Decision making calls for nuance and contextual sensitivity. The duty to provide access to information is often at odds with the duty to preserve and protect collections, or to honor the privacy of the donor, or to respect copyright law. Additionally, the illusory concept of archival neutrality has left gaps in the historical record, commonly referred to as archival silences, resulting from the absence or exclusion of records. When attending museum committee meetings to discuss potential accessions, I remind myself that history is fluid and rooted in perspective. The choice to accept or reject a collection from a donor carries weight in how researchers in the future will understand the past. Nevertheless, my understanding of professional standards has prepared me to exercise judgement and take responsibility for my choices, contributing to public trust in the profession at large.
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Provenance
First among archival values is the Principle of Provenance, which guides the organization of collection materials. Connecting to origins, provenance ensures that the contents and organization of a collection are maintained just as the originator of those materials, called the creator, kept and arranged them. Unlike libraries, contents of an archival collection are kept together even across diverse subjects and media. This is essential for the perseveration of context and validation of authenticity needed by researchers relying on primary source material. My first piece of evidence explores the tension between provenance and access when the archives is offered a donation which is a portion of a larger collection held at another institution. I discuss SAA’s standards of conduct, specifically professional relationships, judgement, and trust. My solution was to honor respect des fonds with open communication, including legal counsel, to create a collaborative digitization project, allowing the collection to be transferred to the other institution, while widening access to the users at both institutions.
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Evidence #1 – Exploring an Ethical Dilemma: Respect des Fonds
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Historical Research
My second piece of evidence is a discussion touching on human research subjects and the importance of conducting ethical historical research. I reference the American Historical Association’s “Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct” and the need for researchers to be aware of the often invisible labor and judgements of archivists, and how these impact the historical timeline, as well as issues of access overlapping with archival ethics. This gives evidence to the need for professional cooperation and honest communication between researchers and archivists in order to build trust and mutual respect.
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Evidence #2 – A Discussion of History and Research Ethics
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Privacy
My third piece of evidence takes a look at the intersection of ethics and protective regulations surrounding privacy for donors and creators. Archivists are frequently faced with the challenge of balancing access with privacy, but, as these collide with backlogs, diminished resources, and digital information, keeping that balance becomes complicated. Because of my background in medicine, I understand the need for discretion in identifying and protecting sensitive, personal information that may expose or harm living individuals. In this discussion piece I compare the regulations governing privacy across three different archival institutions: government, academic, and religious. Beyond the standards established by the profession, it is necessary to understand the state and federal laws surrounding access to collection records. I discuss FERPA which protects student privacy, HIPPA which protects patient privacy, FOIA which protects access to government records, and privacy laws protecting deceased minors and their parents.
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Evidence #3 – Legal Regulations: Privacy versus Access
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Conclusion
To keep current with evolving ethical standards, especially as they pertain to digital records and emerging technology, I know I will need to keep abreast of news and current events affecting the profession which are posted by the Committee on Ethics and Professional Conduct (CEPC) and discussed within the applicable section forums on the SAA website. I will also need to keep informed of policy and procedural changes within my own institution and promote open dialogue with members of our local community.
Competency B: Describe and compare different organizational settings in which information professionals practice.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
The organizational setting of an archives determines aspects of its mission and has a defining impact on both preservation and access. The type of institution, whether corporate, civic, or community-led creates differences in funding, equipment, who can access the records and to what purpose. Yet all three settings share a common precariousness as archivists must work to educate stakeholders on the long-term value of their collections and the importance of preservation. .
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Corporate Archives
I was able to observe first-hand the day-to-day operations of a corporate archives with a visit to the Walt Disney Music Legacy Libraries. It is inward facing, privately funded, and focused on the preservation of privately held, copyrighted documents and artifacts. It also exists to curate a history which reinforces and protects the public image of the company with loans to museums, digital media, and onsite exhibits at the studios. Records are stored offsite using optimal preservation standards. The staff is small, but has access to current, high-end digitization equipment including multiple oversized and specialized scanners. However, it competes with other departments within the company for funding and equipment and must continuously justify its value as company priorities shift with changes in senior leadership.
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Evidence #1 – Interview with an Archivist
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Public School Archives
I also had the pleasure of visiting the Los Angeles Unified School District Art & Artifacts Collection archives, allowing me to observe the contrasting operations of a civic archives which preserves the history of the district’s public schools. It is subject to city and district policies, and funded through state, federal, and local property taxes as well as through non-profit programs like the Arts Consortium. Access is only available to researchers by appointment, using a multi-step registration process, but digital access is growing. Funds are limited, but the archives is embedded within another department to secure it from budget cuts. It operates with a single staff member and a part-time intern. Records are stored on-site and exhibited in the nearby museum which is open to the public. The facilities are old, but generally well maintained, and digitization equipment consists of a mid-range, medium sized scanner.
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Evidence #2 – Reflection on a Research visit to an archives
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Community-led Archives
My volunteer experience with the Little Landers Historical Society community-led archives within Bolton Hall Museum has illuminated many challenges that smaller institutions face. I developed a video presentation with three colleagues whose backgrounds are connected to different historical societies. We surveyed the Idyllwild Area Historical Society which is similar in mission to BHM. Funding for historical societies is derived from donations, membership dues, and fundraising. Preservation standards are difficult to meet due to physical limitations imposed by historic buildings, reduced access to resources, and gaps in expertise. Staff is comprised of volunteers working inconsistent hours, and policies are often less defined. While the museums are public facing, the archives are restricted to researchers, and digital access is limited. But direct community involvement translates to the preservation of local history which would otherwise be erased.
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Evidence #3 – Preservation Survey - Historical Societies video presentation
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Conclusion
I plan to connect and collaborate with a variety of archives as I continue to develop exhibitions, programing, and research and to attend the annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar. Establishing and maintaining relationships with colleagues across differing institutions sparks unique ideas and opportunities, fills information gaps, and builds out context for existing collections. I have found that most archivists are very responsive and excited to exchange information.
Competency C: Articulate the importance of designing programs and services supportive of diversity, inclusion, and equity for clientele and employees.
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Statement of Competency
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IntroductionIn archives, when designing programs and services, as well as in regard to staffing, I have come to understand an archivist must look for who is missing from archival space and why, and then look for ways to design towards inclusion. This demands a greater depth of listening and collaboration with persons having actual, lived experience. The mind’s habituated inclinations toward assumptions, generalizations, and ill-informed judgments should be challenged with curiosity, empathy, and engagement. Evaluation and feedback should inform whether the diverse needs of users are being effectively accommodated.
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Barriers to Access
Barriers to access in collections spaces, reading rooms, and digital archives can include physical, cultural, technical, policy oriented, and logistical obstacles. My first piece of evidence is an annotated bibliography exploring research pertaining to disabled persons in academic archives. As someone managing invisible disabilities, I am working to understand what it means to pass, and how systems and networks exclude or else demand additional effort and exhausting explanations from disabled persons. This includes acknowledging how restrictive policies designed to protect archival collections create additional challenges for disabled users. Likewise, hiring policies including requiring a driver’s license, the ability to lift 25lbs., expectations of relocation disrupting access to health services, and rigid scheduling all contribute to the underemployment of disabled information professionals. Importantly, this project showed me the effects of perceived exclusion, and the ways in which unconscious bias in language, spatial design, and collections management can create symbolic messages of devaluation. Understanding the history and human impacts of barriers to access lays the cornerstone for building inclusivity and equity for all users.
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Evidence #1 – Annotated Bibliography - Users with Visible and Invisible Disabilities
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Diverse Voices
Archives and museums have historically held collections about rather than by indigenous creators, leading to inaccurate and inauthentic narratives. Archives are meant to be repositories of primary source material, and yet for many groups these primary sources are actually the observations of others, and do not communicate the truth of lived experience. My second piece of evidence looks at the value and status assigned to cultures documenting history with written language compared to cultures with oral traditions. I juxtapose this with my experience working at a community-led historical society museum. Exhibit materials on local history include the Tongva people, the area’s first inhabitants, but provide sparse context, and lack information sourced directly from living Tongva history keepers. Collaboration with tribal archives can create a more dimensional local historic record by filling knowledge gaps created by erasure and fragmentation. Cultural programing makes space for respect and connection. I embrace a holistic approach to history which stresses interconnectedness and asks that the diverse inhabitants and contributors to a time and place be acknowledged, represented, and valued.
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Evidence #2 – Indigenous Language Keepers
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Creating Inclusive Spaces and Interactions
In both libraries and archives, the reference desk can be perceived as intimidating or appear adverse to interactions. If the reference experience feels dismissive or demeaning, the user will not return. On the other hand, creating a patient, comfortable, and welcoming environment using principles of universal design can reduce access fatigue and avoidant information behaviors. My third piece of evidence discusses ways in which reference services can be made more responsive and inclusive through awareness of diversity within user behavior. This is aided by the acceptance and understanding of diverse and contrasting verbal and non-verbal communication styles. Successful reference interactions build trust and rapport, contributing to return visits. This in turn builds the institution’s reputation as a safe and inclusive space for everyone in ways that are varied and adaptable, seeding appreciation and value.
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Evidence #3 – Inclusive Reference Interactions
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Conclusion
My future plans for DEI center on representation efforts in Bolton Hall Museum’s exhibits. My team is currently working on a women’s history exhibition titled Founding Sisters: Notable Women of Sunland-Tujunga which opens for Women’s History Month. Neglected stories often prove contradictory to expectations and refute stubborn stereotypes - Tujunga’s first doctor, first mail carrier, and most successful early business owners were women. We are also beginning to collect research for the archives documenting local LGBTQ+ history, and hoping to establish a collaboration with Gabrielino-Tongva tribal archivists when reimagining the permanent collections exhibit. I intend to utilize resources like CAM’s The Inclusive Historian’s Handbook, toolkits from the American Alliance of Museums, and language style guides.
Competency D: Apply the fundamental principles of planning, management, marketing, and advocacy.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
Planning, management, marketing, and advocacy principles serve as my foundation for effective problem solving. I have learned that taking a project from idea to final form requires a user-focused vision centered on the institution’s mission which can be clearly articulated to all stakeholders. This calls for knowledge of available and potential resources and how to strategically apply them, the establishment of short and long term goals with benchmarks for timely delivery, and, perhaps most importantly, the flexibility to adjust and evolve a project in light of feedback and testing.
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Planning
I have found that by assessing where I am, where I want to be, available support, and potential impacts, I can predict some of the obstacles I will face and uncover the hidden roots of many problems. Planning is often overlooked in an effort to save time, but I have observed this actually leads to unnecessary mistakes, confusion and conflict, and a waste of time and resources over the long-term. My first piece of evidence demonstrates my initiation of long-term planning with a proposal addressed to senior management. Demographic changes resulting in the need for adaptations in both facilities, programming and services are discussed. Deficiencies are analyzed, alternative actions are explored, and recommendations for solutions which consider the needs of patrons, staff, and the larger community are provided.
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Evidence #1 – Management Response
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Management
I have learned that communication and transparency are essential elements of management and so I strive to keep everyone updated and well informed, being careful to define roles and expectations, while motivating with encouragement and constructive feedback. I have observed the damage inflicted on projects when a team feels angry or afraid because issues fail to be addressed with openness and mutual respect, allowing for imagination and projection to fill in the gaps. My second piece of evidence is a case study which illustrates my approach to management and team dynamics. I often find myself in supportive roles, and I find it beneficial to stress solutions over problems, going from simple to complex, and from short-term to long-term. This case demonstrates my value of open communication and collaboration with stakeholders at every level.
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Evidence #2 – Communication Case Study
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Marketing
Beyond simply spreading the word, I believe marketing is about cultivating a relationship with the audience and communicating how the institution can enrich, ease and inform their experience. Additionally, it includes establishing collaboration and cooperation with other organizations, institutions, businesses and community leaders to create inclusive, compelling materials with expanded reach. The Memorable Projects section of my webstory presents some of the promotional materials I designed and produced for a ticketed fundraising event, hosted by a community-led museum and historical society. Working within parameters and deadlines set by a committee of stakeholders, I justified my design choices with precise communication while remaining open to compromise, producing a campaign that balanced the museum’s mission with the needs of our audience, site administrators, and advertising partners. I worked directly with the printer to submit files, proof, and approve publication. Additionally, I created a QR code to facilitate ticket sales, simplifying interactions for both volunteer docents and visitors.
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Evidence #3 – Grad Showcase-Express Your Success with Adobe Express
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Advocacy
I view advocacy as a demonstration of how change can result in long-term benefit and added value by focusing on the roots of a problem and bringing attention to both tested and novel solutions. I am passionate about user experience and it is a defining quality of my work and my goals. When planning projects I remind myself to keep the user in the spotlight, tapping into curiosity and empathy while inviting playfulness. My final piece of evidence is a video proposal to secure funding for a blue sky redesign of a struggling library. I address specific complaints from both staff and patrons and offer short and long-term solutions as well as proposed budgeting. The underlying causes of the complaints are explored, showcasing how investment in user experience and community engagement can deliver exceptional returns while growing the institution’s impact.
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Evidence #3 – Mr. Megabucks Visual Critique
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Conclusion
To advance my skills, I intend to create a Disaster Preparedness Plan using the self-assessment tools for small institutions provided by the NEDCC, and guidance from upcoming workshops hosted by the California State Library and the California Association of Museums on disaster preparedness for cultural heritage institutions. I also hope to attend the CAM conference roundtable discussion on volunteer engagement, complementing my experience within a volunteer-led institution.
Competency E: Design, query, and evaluate information retrieval systems.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
As online search faces growing dysfunction due to search engine optimization (SEO), AI slop, and rankings based on invisible, proprietary algorithms, I have found it essential to improve and adapt my skills in search and retrieval while increasing my use of database sourced information. Search presents a tentative balance between broad and specific, casting a net wide enough to retrieve a suitable number of returns, but specific enough to be relevant. Too specific risks excluding potentially important sources, but too broad delivers an overwhelming number of returns which may be useless to the information need. The same holds true when assigning terms and facets in database design and indexing. The most important concern arises from not knowing what information is being excluded from the search returns and why, making database evaluation crucial. Updates to databases can be slow or incomplete meaning more current resources may not be included in search returns. The extra step of checking database help pages prior to searching saves time and frustration.
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Design
My first piece of evidence is a collaborative project to create a database of facial cleansers for a consumer audience tailored to specific skin care needs and preferences. As the project technician, I created, updated, and refined the database structure in Caspio, coordinated the data plan, and worked on editing the rules to negotiate compatibility with the data plan. I gained a greater understanding of the blind spots that exist between the designer’s perspective and the user’s experience when our database was evaluated by a test group. Adaptability is the essence of good database design because there is no singular approach to search.
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Evidence #1 – Alpha Prototype-Facial Cleanser
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Query
In addition to advanced techniques like Boolean Operators and site limited or AI excluding online search, I like to utilize thesauri and index pages. This facilitates discovery of alternate terms and related subject headings. User research with card sorting exercises has taught me that individuals process and categorize information quite differently. I have found comparison of preferred and non-preferred terms, as well as broader and narrower terms, highly beneficial for browsing and pearl-growing in the early stages of research.
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My second piece of evidence is a discussion post which compares search results from a professional search service to a related consumer search service. The thesaurus is discussed as a way to limit terms, narrowing the search to reduce irrelevant search results, and to cross-reference with related topics. It is noted that the consumer version automatically includes synonyms, simplifying the search process by including jargon the user might be unfamiliar with. Using multiple databases and comparing results delivers better coverage.
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Evidence #2 – Discussion: Classification Systems
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Evaluation
My final piece of evidence is a collaborative database evaluation. My team beta tested this database from the point of view of both indexer and searcher, evaluating fields and values on both the indexing and search forms. My key takeaway from this project was that entry of indexing information into a database must be governed by clear, well defined rules with consistent application, established during the design phase, and tested by users from the intended audience. These rules must not be too vague or subjective, leading an indexer to guess or inject bias, resulting in data structures that do not align with user behaviors. Additionally, due to changes in user language and understanding over time, a database requires continuing updates and refinements.
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Evidence #3 – Beta Prototype-Scented Candles Evaluation
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Conclusion
Search behaviors and information search technology continue to evolve. Likewise, so do standards and protocols which dictate best practices for information retrieval systems. Staying current requires checking for updates published by organizations which generate standards such as NISO, ISO, and W3C. I plan to hone my skills in writing effective search statements through continued practice and experimentation within a variety of databases offered through the LAPL online portal.
Competency F: Use the basic concepts and principles related to the selection, evaluation, organization, and preservation of physical and digital information items.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
Collection management within archives is grounded in a lifecycle that begins with selection which includes the appraisal and acquisition of collection items. This is followed by organization which includes their arrangement and description. Next is preservation which includes both passive and active forms of maintaining physical and digital objects in a stable environment over time. Additionally, evaluation has a role to play at every stage through assessment, planning, and recalibrating - for collections materials, staff, equipment, reference services, and archives facilities.
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Selection
A vital aspect of acquisition is the communication which establishes trust between archivist and donor. During selection it is determined if a collection will be a good fit with the archives based on its unique mission, if it has enduring value that will benefit the archives’ users, and if it can be properly preserved and managed by the archives without introducing harm. My second piece of evidence is a case study in which I present preparation and outcomes for a simulated interview between a collection donor and archivists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Archives. It demonstrates the necessity for transparency through clearly stated policies and protocols to ensure a good relationship with the donor while safeguarding the values and reputation of the institution during transference of ownership. This project provided understanding which I was later able to apply to donor interviews at the small cultural heritage museum where I serve as Documents & Artifacts Archivist.
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Evidence #1 – Digital Curation Case Study: Donor/Client Interview
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Organization
Arrangement and description make collection materials searchable, findable, and useable for researchers. This includes producing online resources like finding aids and digitized surrogates to make collections more accessible to a greater number of users. Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) is the official content standard for description in archives. Additionally, digitized and born digital content uses standards developed by the Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI). My third piece of evidence is a finding aid I created for the Ted Carlson papers, appearing in two parts.
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Evidence #2 – Abstract & Biographical Note / Scope & Content Note with Container List
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Preservation
Textiles are among the most sensitive collection materials with three dimensional and multi-media objects requiring specialized preservation solutions. My next piece of evidence is a detailed report on the especially complex preservation needs of felt hats in which I discuss the nature of felt material as well as the requirements for storage enclosures and shelving, handling and use, and environmental considerations such as light, temperature, relative humidity, dust and pests.
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Evidence #3 – Nature & Deterioration of Analog Materials: Textiles – Felt Hats
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Evaluation
Climate change has made natural disasters more frequent and severe, but accidents, poor decisions, and lack of maintenance also contribute to disasters which impact collections and human safety. An essential aspect of collections management is disaster preparedness, calling for assessment and periodic review of policies, procedures and regulations in light of changing conditions. My final piece of evidence is my evaluation of the disaster plan and emergency response team for the Archdiocese of Seattle in the aftermath of an electrical fire in the staff offices. Recommendations are made to address gaps in the plan.
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Evidence #5 – Preservation Management & Disaster Response Plan
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Conclusion
Many opportunities for continuing education are available from the Society of American Archivists. As a member I have access to certification programs, specialized publications, workshops, and online forums dedicated to collection management for both digital and analog materials. In particular, I see the Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) certification as a way to build on my existing experience with digital curation and born digital materials which constitute a rapidly growing share of archival collections.
Competency G: Demonstrate understanding of basic principles and standards involved in organizing information such as classification and controlled vocabulary systems, cataloging systems, metadata schemas or other systems for making information accessible to a particular clientele.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
When organizing information, regardless of domain or media, the system or schema must fit the user, taking into consideration their unique information needs and behaviors as well as any limitations on their time, cataloging and search skills, and digital resources. I have had the opportunity to learn several metadata schemas and cataloging systems, gaining familiarity with the applicable metadata standards which guide them. Many of these are built on the foundations established by Dublin Core. IFLA has published guidelines for user friendly OPAC displays intended for general libraries but applicable to any type of catalog.
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Sound Recording Collections
My first piece of evidence is a video presentation that introduces Discovery, Creative Search & Organization (DISCO), a cataloging tool designed for the large quantities of metadata assigned to sound recordings, conforming to music industry standards, and tailored to the needs of music professionals. DISCO uses the 14 most common fields from the ID3V2 metadata standard for MP3 and AIFF file sharing. The ability to add custom tags or use AI auto-tagging is also discussed through the lens of user needs.
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Evidence #1 – DISCO: a metadata schema for music catalogs
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Cultural Object Collections
My second piece of evidence is a metadata template and collection of sample records for 10 stereographic cards. The records were built using CDWA Lite, a scheme based on Categories for the Descriptions of Works of Art (CDWA) which is associated with the Visual Resources Association (VRA) Core 4.0. It is used by museums to organize metadata for art and cultural objects and provides more specificity than Dublin Core for non-textual materials, allowing for a surrogate image, details about condition, and object inscriptions. CDWA Lite uses a reduced number of fields and presents itself as a more user-friendly XML schema when compared to CDWA. The standards are made available by the Getty Foundation.
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Evidence #2 – Metadata Project – CDWA Lite
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Workplace Library Collections
My final piece of evidence is a video presentation that introduces online social cataloging software for office staff looking to build a small, workplace lending library that can be administered by one or two individuals without prior cataloging experience. The online application LibraryThing utilizes both ISBN search and the import of MARC records to build a catalog, and TinyCat is an OPAC giving online access to metadata and circulation information. The content standard is AACR2 and RDA. The presentation contains an explanation of MARC records, providing comparisons between MARC fields used in LibraryThing versus those used in the Library of Congress catalog, and gives examples of common MARC tags.
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Evidence #3 – Metadata for Workplace Lending Libraries
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Conclusion
To practice and advance my skills in cataloging and classification, including tagging, I plan to build an online catalog of my husband’s extensive vinyl records collection using the community-driven online database Discogs. This will allow him to keep track of albums already in his collection as well as their condition through online access or by downloading an XML spreadsheet. Discogs presents their own database rules and guidelines, but catalog records are derived from music industry discographies which are mapped to Dublin Core elements. Additionally, I plan to continue adding tags to records in the NARA Citizen Archivist program.
Competency H: Demonstrate proficiency in identifying, using, and evaluating current and emerging information and communication technologies.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
Within archives and collecting institutions the steady increase of born-digital objects, the need to digitize analog collections to satisfy user expectations of online access, and advances in digital tools facilitating outreach and remote learning have made effective identification, evaluation and use of current and emerging technology essential for creating, preserving, and sharing information. I strive to balance openness and adaptation with proof of functionality.
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Identifying Technology
Identifying new or more effective technologies often comes through encounters and successful interactions with projects produced by other institutions or colleagues. I like to engage with museums, archives and libraries to directly experience how others in the field are implementing digital tools according to varying resources and audiences. For example, at a recent conference I learned about cloud-based collection management systems and data migration from legacy software. Touring archives has given me insight into the different scanners used in digitization. And I have also made serendipitous discoveries as an online user. My first piece of evidence is a review of an online exhibit hosted by the Smithsonian Institute, called The Nature of the Book. This project introduced me to the application StoryMaps, an excellent budget-friendly tool for building interactive timelines and information maps as immersive digital content to complement onsite exhibitions. I discus this tool at the 2:40 mark in the video presentation I created using Adobe Express software.
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Evidence #1 – Video review of the online exhibit, Nature of the Book
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Evaluating Technology
When deciding whether or not to integrate a new technology-based tool or system, I start with online research, inquire about the experiences of colleagues at similar institutions, and take advantage of free-trials for personal experimentation. Transparent discussion with stakeholders about costs over time and sustainability, compatibility and interoperability, impacts on file migration and preservation, proprietary versus open source software, availability of technical support, and the degree of customization all must be weighed when investing limited resources. Risks around security and privacy must also be explored in addition to issues of accessibility and user experience. My second piece of evidence examines digitization of analog collections, arguing that while implementation increases access by making collections digitally available, it does not necessarily equate to long-term preservation due to hardware and format obsolescence, risks like data degradation, and hidden costs of technology maintenance. Investing in a digitization project necessarily also involves evaluating digital curation tools and digital asset management platforms, ensuring files retain authenticity and accessibility.
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Evidence #2 – Digitization and Preservation Discussion
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Using Technology
My final piece of evidence is a reflection on my work creating an interactive historic timeline using TimelineJS by Knightlab, a free, open source JavaScript tool which links to information created in a separate Google spreadsheet. The timeline can be embedded into a website, but unfortunately some sites, like my Wordpress blog, do not allow JavaScript due to security and privacy concerns. In this case it is accessed via a hyperlink, diminishing its impact and requiring additional steps for the user. However, this is offset by the ability to instantly and directly update the content by changing data within the Google spreadsheet. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater has seen incredible growth in the time since I created the timeline and has now established its official archives. The ability to update and add to the existing content means any timeline project, like the history it presents, is not forced to remain static, but can be edited for currency, accuracy, and inclusion of newly discovered information. This makes TimelineJS a great tool for sharing history in an engaging format which can accommodate embedded videos.
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Evidence #3 – Historic Timeline: Bob Baker Marionettes / or direct link to the timeline
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Conclusion
In an era of rapid advancements, I am continuing to explore the benefits and risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in archivist workflow by taking in the arguments and observations made by users and researchers, and I look forward to the findings of the Society of American Archivists AI Task Force. I will add the podcast hosted by the Library of Congress about digital preservation projects, featuring guests from a variety of libraries and archives, to my listening list. And I will utilize the American Archivist online review portal which publishes reviews of software and tools relevant to archives use.
Competency K: Design collaborative/individual learning experiences based on learning principles and theories.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
I have designed several instructional projects utilizing a mix of learning theories and principles. Foremost is the principle of cognitive load management which guards the learner from being overwhelmed, preventing a loss of focus or abandonment of the inquiry. Second is the theory of active learning which is employed to maximize attention and engagement. This includes using the signaling principle to direct attention to key information, and creation of collaborative learning experiences using situated learning and participatory activities. And third is the theory of connectivism which leverages technology, embracing digital leaning including information databases and information sharing through social media channels. Though these principles can be broadly applied, my projects are tailored to specific audiences to create the best user experience.
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Video Tutorial for Instruction in Online Search Methods
My first piece of evidence is a video tutorials to teach the use of Boolean Operators in online search. My approach was to frame a concept that users often find intimidating as something playful and relatable, using familiar imagery. The intended audience was children, but feedback revealed a wide range of ages positively engaged with the content. I incorporated signaling to emphasize two important but confusing elements. Mindful of cognitive load, the video is under 4 minutes the narration speed is faster and more energized, and images reinforce the text to provide clarity.
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Evidence #1 – BOOlean Operators
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Scavenger Hunt for Exhibition Engagement
My second piece of evidence is a simple analog activity that was created with Canva to augment an exhibition I co-curated on the history of local public schools. As a docent, I had observed younger children growing bored, begging to return to the adjacent playground. The scavenger hunt lends a physical and interactive element to information discovery and rewarding completion of the activity with stickers provides positive reinforcement. It has also proved collaborative. During community events I observed older children participating, helping younger children find more challenging items. The older children took pride in sharing knowledge, and their attention made the younger children feel special. It also provided parents space to engage with docents about collection materials.
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Evidence #2 – Scavenger Hunt Exhibit Activity
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LibGuide Tutorial for Instruction on Advanced Search in a Database
My final piece of evidence is a LibGuide I designed to instruct creative writing students on the self-directed use of the Mythology and Folklore Database. I employed best practices to reduce cognitive load including F shaped composition with left side navigation links to keep the most important information where the eye lands first. Textual information is presented in short blocks of text broken up by plenty of negative space with clear headings and subheadings. Tab boxes are utilized to keep related topics together and reduce scrolling. I also used a high contrast sans serif font for universal access. Friendly fox illustrations provide continuity and interest for each section, and instructional images reinforce the text. Bottom-of-page navigation links also reduce scrolling. Less work for the user results in a better experience and improved information processing.
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Evidence #3 – LibGuide for the Mythology and Folklore Database
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Conclusion
To advance my skills I intend to gain more experience with gamification and creating interactive narratives. I am learning the ArcGIS StoryMaps application which the Smithsonian Institute has used for online instruction that highlights primary sources using interactive maps. TeachArchives.org, run by the Brooklyn Historical Society, also offers articles on pedagogy and sample collaborative exercises for instruction on engaging with primary sources.
Competency L: Demonstrate understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the ability to design a research project, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize research literature.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
Qualitative research uses measurable, statistics-based datasets. Qualitative research uses data that is interpretive and contextual, adding a humanizing element. Combining these together provides deeper and more holistic understanding of a research topic or subject. I have found this to be especially true for historical research which must not only gather personal stories and analyze documents but also align them with evidence that can be verified.
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Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
My first piece of evidence is a Kinship Determination Project. The KDP creates a narrative history using broad and exhaustive research to document and validate relationships across time. Quantitative and qualitative data are combined to align evidence and meet the Genealogical Proof Standard. Use of vital records and demographic statistics paired with personal narratives and cultural context, from historic document analysis and oral histories, builds a more comprehensive and evidenced understanding of history. I combined these methods to track migration patterns of a family across four generations. I have also applied these methods at Bolton Hall Museum to fulfill research requests and build exhibitions on historic topics.
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Evidence #1 – Kinship Determination Project (KDP)
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Designing a Research Project
My second piece of evidence is a research proposal which served to frame my research question about why a once widely popular and notably beneficial pastime declined into a niche hobby. This preliminary research plan provided contextual background information, gleaned from early investigation of the topic, to define the research argument and put forth several additional questions related to subtopics. The proposal also included a tentative outline of the paper and its sections as well as an initial bibliography to confirm availability of primary and secondary source materials. The proposal became the roadmap that helped me to define the scope and purpose of the project while maintaining my focus on the central question.
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Evidence #2 – Research Proposal
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Evaluation and Synthesis of Research Literature
My final piece of evidence is the literature review from my research project, noted above, exploring the decline of whittling, a once popular pastime in United States. I evaluated over thirty sources and analyzed previous research from peer reviewed publications in the areas of Leisure Studies, Art History, Psychology, Cognition, Gender Studies, and U.S. History giving a special emphasis to the Serious Leisure Perspective as it applies to the intersection of labor and hobbies. I was able to combine research information from these secondary sources with primary source material from digital and analog archives to create a more nuanced understanding of a local woodcarver and bring new context to an exhibit of his work at Bolton Hall Museum.
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Evidence #3 – Literature Review
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Conclusion
Looking to the future, I would like to build my historical research skills further by learning how to conduct oral history interviews. The UC Irvine Libraries provide a scalable oral history toolkit for preparing and conducting interviews for community-centered archives. And as a continuing member of the Society of American Archivists I can join the Oral History Section which offers a range of resources as well as a forum for news and discussions.
Competency M: Demonstrate professional leadership and communication skills.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
TLeadership is commonly misconstrued with authority, but I consider it a functional quality which facilitates collaboration and shared responsibility. I have taken on many supportive roles that easily align with the qualities and capabilities essential to effective professional leadership. To me, this means serving as an agent of change, providing a calming yet motivating influence, and keeping projects focused and on track through clear and open communication at each stage. These three aspects reinforce each other as change necessarily stirs up uncertainty, fear, and confusion. It can be messy, overwhelming, and full of unexpected developments. But, when seen as creative openings, these steer the work in novel directions, allowing for long-term problem solving anchored by goals that can be restated, clarified, tested, and adapted to changing conditions.
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Professional Leadership
My first piece of evidence is a reflection on my experience at CAM 2026, the annual conference held by the California Association of Museums, which was hosted this year in downtown Los Angeles, California. It was my first professional conference. I was awarded a scholarship to attend as an emerging museum professional through the generosity of The Handumy Jean Tahan Museums Fund and gifted a membership in the professional association. My goal in attendance was to discover pathways of development for myself and my institution. These included advice about transitioning from legacy to cloud-based cataloging software, conducting a collections inventory, attracting new volunteers, establishing relationships with tribal archivists to create more authentic and complete narratives, and designing collaborative programming with other local organizations. As a representative for Bolton Hall Museum I was also able to advocate for small, community-led museums and celebrate the importance of local contributions to the broader history of California.
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Evidence #1 – article on CAM 2026 appearing in The Cornerstone newsletter, page 4
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Communication within the Organization
My second piece of evidence demonstrates my skill in sharing ideas and information in a collaborative setting. This project, an exhibition on local women’s history, was produced on a shoestring budget of $150.00, and designed to teach local history to a general audience. It required team coordination in proposal and planning, budgeting, research, fabrication, marketing and supplemental program design. I collaborated with our Research Librarian on curation, kept our Museum Director updated on a weekly basis, and updated the members of the Museum Board at the monthly board meetings. And though I did all of the fabrication myself, I made sure to solicit input and adapt to feedback. I also maintained communication with the treasurer to document expenses. For the exhibition’s promotional wall calendar, I served as a liaison to our local printer, uploading files, proofing, and giving final approval.
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Evidence #2 – Founding Sisters exhibit on local women’s history
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Communication with the Public
My third piece of evidence is a blog post which showcases the activities of archivists and illustrates the value of archives for the general public. The field of archives is colored heavily by romanticism promoted in popular media, but the everyday reality is quite different, revealing an unexpected modernity and increasing reliance on technology. In an era of misinformation it is vital to communicate how archivists secure and facilitate access to primary source material, and how students and curious individuals outside the realms of traditional research can benefit from visiting a reading room or a digital repository. Additionally, it is important to make professional researchers aware of the labor which goes into the key archival processes of selection, arrangement and description, and preservation. With backlogs growing, it benefits everyone to understand the value of the both the records and the professionals who steward them, and this necessitates an open dialogue with users.
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Evidence #3 – What does an archivist do?
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Conclusion
Looking ahead, I aspire to attend the annual conference held by the American Historical Association which is tailored to historical societies and institutions focused on American history. I can then take the knowledge and resources gained at CAM 2026 and combine these with information which is even more specific to the preservation of local history, and the challenges facing small museums working with historic records. In this way I can support the much need development of my institution, updating policies and procedures which have not kept pace with shifts in culture and technology.
Competency N: Evaluate programs and services using measurable criteria.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
Through direct experience as well as educational opportunities I have learned that designing programs and services within archives requires cyclical evaluation, during the planning stages, while constructing, and again after implementation. Employing models based on standards and established assessment criteria helps to tailor services both broadly, to conform with professional expectations, and also more specifically to meet the needs of the collecting institution and its users. I have found that measurable criteria keeps our work focused, and more clearly demonstrates actual outcomes while drawing attention to areas that need improvement or revisiting. As an artist, I see parallels with the process of painting where refinement comes through taking a step back at periodic intervals to regard the work relative to the vision and how it is being communicated before making adjustments.
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Evaluating Reference Services
Data gleaned from regularly evaluating of programs and services can be provided to stakeholders to justify decisions made in budget allocations, resources, and staffing. Likewise, feedback solicited from users can reveal if those programs and services are meeting the mission of the institution, and which collections are receiving the most use. This information can then be used to inform collection priorities, preservation actions, and access. When shared, these insights can benefit the entire field. My first piece of evidence is a discussion referencing the Standardized Statistical Measures and Metrics for Public Services in Archival Repositories and Special Collections Libraries created by SAA and ACRL/RBMS. These standards provide detailed guidance for gathering data to assess public services and operational impacts within archives. I strongly believe that regular evaluation can help us to break with the repetition of old mistakes based on rote traditions that no longer serve by revealing unnoticed or unrecognized needs for adaptation.
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Evidence #1 – Assessment and Evaluation of Reference Services
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Evaluating for Data Reuse
As archival work takes on the stewardship of rapidly expanding collections of digital assets, management of these materials requires evaluation criteria built on standards born from conceptual models. The DCC lifecycle, the Data Continuum, and the OAIS models provide a supportive framework for building digital curation programs, leveraging evaluation at each stage of the data lifecycle, enabling data to be preserved and reused. This includes establishing selection criteria for acquisitions, criteria for validating authenticity and integrity of data, and criteria for tracking data management activities like migration. A data repository itself may be evaluated using the Trustworthy repositories: Audit and certification (TRAC) checklist, an auditing tool used to measure compliance with OAIS standards, demonstrating to stakeholders that the repository is reliable and capable of meeting commitments to long-term preservation. My second piece of evidence discusses my views on of the importance of conceptual models in guiding the flow of digital curation activities, and how these build order into the constantly evolving circumstances associated with digital preservation.
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Evidence #2 – Models of Digital Curation
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Evaluating for Emergency Response Readiness
In the case of disaster preparedness, assessment and evaluation can save lives and collections. Standards for readiness and response have been established by the NEDCC. My third piece of evidence is my reflection on a wet salvage workshop I recently attended, funded by the California State Library, as part of the “Ready—Or Not”: Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project. Evaluation of collection priorities, risk assessment, and evaluation of emergency response and recovery steps post-disaster were all stressed as ways to prepare for collection related emergencies and prevent, or at least minimize, future losses. At this workshop I leaned the necessary criteria and best practices for creating a disaster preparedness plan for a cultural heritage institution.
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Evidence #3 – NEDCC Wet Salvage Workshop
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Conclusion
I am advancing my skills in this area by engaging with the Outreach Coordinator from the Ready – or Not program to conduct a walk-through assessment of Bolton Hall Museum’s disaster preparedness for the collections and facility this summer. The recent workshop afforded us a subscription to dSpace|ReadyArt which provides assessment and evaluation tools to create a customized disaster plan. I have already set up the account and am working with the Museum Director to evaluate our collection priorities for preservation and salvage.
Competency O: Understand global perspective on effective information practices that are supportive of cultural, economic, educational, or social well-being.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
The world is brimming with diverse stories and perspectives that seed innovation and evolve existing systems. My familiarity with global perspectives has allowed for comparison and reflection, leading to a deeper understanding of my own values, practices and responsibilities. I am especially interested in the advances in design both from nations which heavily invest in information infrastructure and from those who find creative solutions with limited resources. And within the archives setting, I have observed that the inclusion and support of immigrant voices from diverse nations is creating more collaborative, dimensional and authentic history keeping. Information seekers, from researchers to enthusiasts, all benefit from global conversations and experiences which foster cultural connection and social well-being.
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Literacy
My first piece of evidence is a review of Paradoxes of Media and Information Literacy: the Crisis of Information by Jutta Haider and Olaf Sundin. Their book discusses media and information literacy through the lens of five paradoxes arising within popular approaches to literacy taken by institutions seeking to address growing complexity and instability in the global information landscape. The authors are Swedish and draw upon research interviews conducted with Swedish students around the concept of Källkritik, loosely translated as “source criticism”. Comparisons are drawn with approaches taken in the United States and the United Kingdom. Through analysis of this book I gained valuable insight into the contradictory aspects of ML and IL initiatives as well as the myriad factors contributing to the global spread of misinformation through digital and social media. I believe that global communication and cooperation among information professionals is needed to understand the impacts, positive and negative, generated by the fluid movements of digitally sourced information.
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Evidence #1 – Book review of Paradoxes in Information and Media Literacy
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Service
My second piece of evidence is a discussion of library services and resources available for genealogical research, specifically for the Armenian diaspora. This area of historic research explores documents and records pertaining to the migration, immigration and emigration movements of families across generations, and adheres to the internationally recognized Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). Research often extends to records held by civic, religious and cultural heritage institutions across several nations with differing policies for access. I live in Los Angeles, one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, boasting residents from every continent. Immigrants are the foundation of a cross-cultural conversation that distinguishes L.A. as uniquely vibrant and creative. I believe that supportive services which acknowledge diverse global contributions and struggles, like those detailed in my discussion piece, build brighter communities and more relevant institutions.
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Evidence #2 – Discussion – Immigrant Group: Armenian Diaspora
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Connection
My third piece of evidence is from a wider exploration of D23, the official Disney fan club, as an information community and discusses approaches taken by the Walt Disney Company in creating content and experiences for a global fanbase. I have a strong interest in communities which form around leisure and hobby pursuits, and how these communities exchange information around shared experience, discovery and nostalgia. In our digitally connected world, social information is increasingly accessible. As people of differing cultures come together over shared interests, content creators actively look for ways to adapt to, encourage, and exploit these expanding connections. This project helped me understand how fostering engagement within information communities translates to cultural currency for brands like Disney on an international scale. I am inspired to consider the ways in which archives and libraries can similarly foster global connections to build value and strengthen bonds across borders through creation of relevant online user experiences.
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Evidence #3 – Global experiences in the D23 Information Community
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ConclusionTravel expands understanding in a very direct way. While I enjoy library tourism here in the U.S., I have not yet had opportunities to travel abroad. However, I regularly visit the Designing Libraries website which showcases spatial design and use from libraries around the world and also forecasts global trends in library design and technology. I have also discovered IFLA’s Library Map of the World - a searchable resource for international library statistics and publications. In the near future I hope to be showcasing the local historic contributions of 20th century immigrant groups when helping to redesign the permanent collections exhibit at Bolton Hall Museum.
Competency I/J: Describe the fundamental concepts of information-seeking behaviors and how they should be considered when connecting individuals or groups with accurate, relevant and appropriate information.
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Statement of Competency
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Introduction
When considering the design and development of truly useful and holistic information services and knowledge management systems, I keep in mind the effects that overwrought complexities, distracting elements, and temporal perception have on search behaviors and user engagement with information. This is because I myself tend to struggle with keeping things simple, and, like everyone else, I fight to hold focus in a culture of prolonged screen use and unremitting sensory bombardment. My background in healthcare and stress management also informs this perspective, and I expect the intersection of information behavior with cognitive health and adaptation to become increasingly important as the push to implement artificial intelligence continues to intensify.
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Supporting User Needs
My first piece of evidence highlights the impact of confusing terminology and non-intuitive structure on search practices and user engagement. Failure to consider cognitive load, user motivation, and topic familiarity can amplify user frustration and overwhelm, resulting in the abandonment of a search or a source. And, because the brain safeguards its resources by conserving energy whenever possible, a user’s negative perception of the amount of time and effort required to access information can also trigger this response. This is especially true for persons who are neurodivergent or managing sensory processing disorders.
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In this project, my team evaluated the Fantastic Fiction website, suggesting ways to restructure the site map and refine terminology in light of user warrant to promote an easier and more intuitive search experience. Users are more likely to return to a website or digital information source if their search needs can be quickly, simply, and accurately met. Because confusion and uncertainty are an intrinsic stage in information seeking, I embrace design which supports the user in feeling confident and capable by limiting confusion and emphasizing clarity
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Evidence #1 – Redesign recommendations for FantasticFiction.com website
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Information Exchange Between Content Creators and Users
My second piece of evidence is a research project that demonstrates how information seeking behaviors within fandoms have influenced the organizations which create content for these enthusiasts, and the ways that content is shared and distributed. Additionally, it explores the impact fandom behaviors have had on digital culture more broadly. I have grown to understand that online information seeking is not a linear process beginning with a question and ending with an answer. Rather it is a fluid process of discovery and information exchange which exists within a larger digital ecosystem in a constant state of transformation. The user is not a passive receiver of information, but distinctly shapes the systems and methods used for search through their behaviors and aversions and thus should be acknowledged as the center from which these systems emerge.
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Evidence #2 – D23: a Transmedia Mickey Mouse Club for the Information Age
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Technology use and information seeking
My third piece of evidence is an infographic that presents digital resources and technology use within an information community and how these align to meet the community’s most common information needs. In addition to showcasing how fans seek information using apps, websites, and social media, the project also demonstrates the value of visual clarity and selective color in the creation of at-a-glance information sources which are easy to consume and share. In fact, when sharing the project in a discussion forum, I received several requests for copies of the infographic because colleagues found the concise listing of online resources personally useful and wanted to share it with their friends. This feedback revealed the project was a successful example of meeting information needs while aligning with the social search and information sharing behaviors commonly seen within fandoms.
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Evidence #3 – D23 – Digital Resources & Technology Use – infographic
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Conclusion
To keep current with models of information-seeking behavior I plan to regularly check-in with the literature published in scholarly journals and through professional associations. These can be found on databases like ERIC and ProQuest Research Library hosted by the Los Angeles Public Library, abstract indexes, and sometimes on open source databases. I will also continue to read research news blogs like The Link and annual consumer trend reports which reveal user preferences and motivations tied to more rapidly changing social and technological influences.