"This I Believe" Essay

"In a world which furnishes so many employments which are useful, so many which are amusing, it is our own fault if we ever know what ennui (boredom) is” – Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 1787

Raised in Albemarle County, Virginia, where the word of Thomas Jefferson has more power than that of any preacher, I was told repeatedly as a child that boredom was only for the boring. While the actual Jefferson quotation may differ somewhat from the words of my mother, I nonetheless took it to heart to never be bored. My desire for continual learning and growth has found a match in the world of libraries. From my very first job in the field, I have been challenged and given the support to learn new skills and technologies. These things are learned not only for my own betterment or amusement, but to be of service to others, to provide them with information, and to preserve history for the future. I look forward to a career that aligns with the American Library Association’s Core Value of Education and Lifelong Learning (2004), both in how I approach my professional role and by empowering others in their own pursuits. And of course, never to be bored.

The role of information professional has changed dramatically in the past decades, but some things remain constant. Systemic inequality remains a challenge to forming a truly democratic society. Not everyone has the same access to information and knowledge that I have been privileged to have. Without access, there can be no equity. This applies to all aspects of our society, from health and wellness, to economic development, to civic engagement, and education. Libraries, embodying the American Library Association’s Core Values of Access and Democracy (2004), serve as critical community access points for information in these and many other areas. Libraries are one of the few places that underserved and marginalized people can find support, guidance, and resources free of charge. Information professionals can serve as guides and facilitators by equally valuing and assisting all who seek information, whether it is to acquire citizenship, find a job, or learn a new skill. Both in my personal life and career, I seek to ensure equitable access to the resources that can truly transform lives and empower communities.

As an information professional working in archives, I also seek to challenge inequality in historical record keeping. What history is deemed worthy of preservation? Whose words will we remember centuries from now? Only the words of famous white men such as Jefferson or those of the people he enslaved? Archives and archival practice are not neutral; they are shaped by our unconscious bias. The Society of American Archivists (2020) states that archivists should “respect the diversity found in humanity and advocate for archival collections to reflect that rich complexity.” By building diverse and inclusive collections, archivists can more fully preserve the past and present for the benefit of all. Through my work, I hope to bring greater equity into the historical record.

References

American Library Association. (2004) Core values of librarianship. http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section2/40corevalues.

Society of American Archivists. (2020 August). SAA core values statement and code of ethics. https://www2.archivists.org/statements/saa-core-values-statement-and-code-of-ethics.