Over the past few months, the Utah State Archives staff have been sifting through resumes and conducting interviews in order to grow our team! After a competitive and insightful process, we are happy to introduce our new Collections Management Specialist and new Lead Reformatting Technician. Let’s get to know them….
Carl Jemmett, Collections Management Specialist
Please describe what you do at the State Archives. What does a typical work day look like for you?
“I am a Collections Management Specialist. This newly redefined position combines the previous ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) operator position with a more holistic philosophy in terms of the collection. Typically, I will be slinging cubic foot boxes into and out of containers and carts. But sometimes, I will be down within the aisles of the ASRS, helping the unit loader robots out of a jam. Finally, I’m just coming up to speed on the accession process in our archival software tools. This will help me really connect the boxes, barcodes and digits to the real historical context living in our collection.”
How did you end up working at the State Archives?
“I recently left a 10-year career in IT looking for a change. And, as luck would have it, the ASRS operator position opened up at the Archives! I’m fascinated by industrial automation processes, and even had some exposure to robots and automation during my IT career. I’m also drawn to the public service aspect of the job. What a breath of fresh air not to be beholden to pure profit motives!”
What do you enjoy most about your job at the State Archives?
“I am enjoying learning the big picture here and my role in it. I’m also enjoying sharing my IT skills as applicable, but realizing that I’m not a historian nor archivist, and the most valuable skills I have yet to learn. I’m also really enjoying working with the people here. Everyone has an abiding love of their craft and an eclectic sense of humor that I feel right at home around.”
Avalon Snell, Lead Reformatting Technician
If you recognize Avalon, that’s because she is moving from the Records and Information Management team to the Reformatting team! Avalon’s wealth of knowledge about digitization, digital asset management, and records information management, makes her a wonderful asset to the program as she continues to collaborate with Archives’ cross-functional teams.
Please describe what you do at the State Archives. What does a typical work day look like for you?
I am the Reformatting Tech Lead so I help with the digitization of records for patrons, agencies, and internal programs. It’s a new position so what I’ll be doing long-term is still being worked out, but I’m loving what I have been working on so far.
How did you end up working at the State Archives?
I started as a volunteer about 5 years ago while I was working on my masters degree, then moved up to an intern, then a part-time employee, then I became a RIM specialist for state and local agencies. I did that for almost 3 years before moving to the reformatting section last month.
What do you enjoy most about your job at the State Archives?
I love working with historical records! You can always find interesting or crazy stuff here so it’s never dull work. I also love being around people who feel the same nerdy way about stuff as I do. It makes the job more enjoyable.