10/14/2026
It’s Day and we got Calli, Leland, and Dalton of our Archives Team to answer some frequently asked questions about their career!
What do archivists do?
Calli: Archivists exist to advocate for marginalized voices, uphold democracy, and safeguard truths. We have the awesome responsibility of collecting, preserving, and making accessible the human record in all formats–letters, photographs, floppy disks, audio cassettes, VHS tapes, maps, sculptures, paintings, journals, rare books, and more–for present and future generations to use however they need.
Why are archives important?
C: Archives are vital to preserving our lived experiences. Without these connections to our shared past, people can lose sight of where they are heading. It’s important to remember what we’ve learned and what we’re handing down to maintain our humanity, compassion, and ability to learn from past mistakes.
How can teachers incorporate archives into the classroom?
Leland: By reaching out to an archivist! Archivists are generally very accommodating and happy to help facilitate material for archival instruction.
What’s the oldest item in your Collection?
Dalton: The oldest item in our Collection is a map of the world titled Typus Universalis, from Geographia Universalis by Sebastian Münster. It’s a really cool piece: the Americas were barely mapped, Antarctica isn’t present, the seas are full of monsters, and the borders have faces blowing air to represent winds.
What’s the coolest item in your Collection?
D: My favorite item is hard to pick, but there is one that I really enjoy showing people. It’s an early map of the North Pole drawn by Gerhard Mercator. It was drawn long before the North Pole was explored. I generally love some of the older maps in our collection, they are often incredibly drawn.
How can I become an archivist?
L: The best thing I can recommend is that you start the journey by volunteering with an archive. Reach out to a local museum, library, university, or government records agency and let them know you’re interested in archives and would like to be put in touch with an archivist.
