Found Archives
Fostering the creation and management of archival collections
Found Archives
Fostering the creation and management of archival collections
Practice
I specialize in helping foundations capture their story by identifying, collecting, and preserving relevant records and assets. Creating an archive often includes developing a collection policy, selecting and processing analog and digital records, and writing procedures and training materials.
An effective and useful archive must have a robust information management program to support it. I’ve worked with foundations to assess existing information management infrastructure, strengthen records management policies and procedures, and develop training programs.
Publications & Resources
In the course of my work at various institutions, I’ve had the opportunity to share what I’ve learned through publications and through developing resources for the field. Some may be useful for practitioners; others are projects where I was grateful to have an impact:
Work supporting foundation archives and records:
- Is Physical Custody of Digital Archives Possible? Lifting the Lid on Data Centers. (February 2021) BloggERS, The Blog of SAA’s Electronic Records Section.
- Archiving Forward and Backward: Two Perspectives on Capturing the Impact of Limited-Life Foundations. Eaton, L., & Kowalewski, P. (2020). The Foundation Review, 12(1).
- Advancing Foundation Archives: Advocacy, Strategies, and Solutions, June 2019 conference report. Links to YouTube presentations are included within the report.
Work supporting academic and cultural heritage collections:
- Franklin and Penelope Rosemont papers, University of Michigan Library (Special Collections Research Center), 2018.
- Surreal Life with Bugs Bunny, University of Michigan Library, Beyond the Reading Room, July 24, 2018.
- Jack Kausch Photograph Collection, Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, 2017.
- Adventures in Postcard Land. Lori Eaton. (July/August 2017). Archival Outlook, Society of American Archivists.
- Charles Auringer Collection, Birmingham Museum, CREEM Magazine collection, March 2017.
Image courtesy of the Birmingham Museum, Postcard collection
About
Before branching out on my own as an archive and records management consultant, I was the project archivist at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University. In addition to working with philanthropic records, I have had the good fortune to process archival collections at a variety of academic and cultural heritage institutions.
I am a member of the Academy of Certified Archivists and the Society of American Archivists. I earned my master’s in library and information science and graduate certificate in archival administration from Wayne State University and I have a bachelor’s of business administration from the College of William and Mary.
Writing has been a cornerstone of my professional and creative life. I have worked as a copywriter, freelance features writer, communications specialist, and grant writer. My short stories have appeared in the late, great Sassy Magazine, the literary journals The MacGuffin and Rkvry Quarterly Literary Journal, and assorted anthologies. My 10-minute plays have appeared in theater festivals around the country.
Photo courtesy: Mel Z. Worthington