Integrity is everything, especially when it comes to books and documents

Integrity is a term I have come across very frequently in my internship.  It is not only integrity as it applies to people and their ethics, but also the integrity of objects.  Recently there was a problem with the collection vault.  This is the area where all of the archival materials- papers to reel to reel discs- are kept.  I am not a stranger to the incessant beeping of a humidity alarm.  It happened a few times during my time at the NLM.  However, in those cases it was usually a false alarm.  When the alarm went off in my current workplace, however, it was no accident.  The room had become too warm for the documents and the alarm wanted everyone to know that they were in danger. 

               One of the most important things about objects, whether they are paper, clay, metal, or film, is that they are preserved correctly in order to maintain the originality of the object.  One can imagine the Declaration of Independence being subjected to a Florida hurricane with no proper protection and get the general idea of the gravity and ramifications of this situation.  In order to keep the life of the objects long into future generations, every variable has to be considered.  In times where space for storage is expensive and historical materials are being shifted from one institution to another, it is even more of an issue.  

               I believe Moses Asch started Folkways with the idea of integrity in the back of his mind.  Not only did he wish to record the world’s sounds, but he wanted them to always be available.  The importance of all the different Folkways records is the history that they perpetuate.  Sounds of Native Indians, tribes, and American culture may fall short of oral history, but they are the sounds of history.  In his own way, Moses Asch was protecting the integrity of a number of cultures by requiring these recording to stay in print.   He wanted to provide an honest perception of these people and the music Folkways produced.  At times he was even hesitant to record with more than one microphone.  

               Integrity is more than just something you can keep in your toolbox of character traits.  It extends further than people; it can describe objects, sounds, animals, and a number of other things.  In order to make his encyclopedia of sound, Moses Asch had to realize that all of these sounds, songs, and speeches deserved the same respect as the people who created them. 

Everything in life is a learning process- don't be offended if you're not perfect

          The first week of internships and jobs are always the most interesting.  You are not only introduced to a completely new environment, but you are taught skills and information that no class can truly prepare you for.  However, they can also be very helpful on giving you an encyclopedia of knowledge to tap into.  I have never professionally digitized anything in my life before this week.  Sure there were plenty of projects that I had to take pictures of objects, but there is something different when your pictures are going to be on a Smithsonian website one day for researchers all over the world to use.  The Smithsonian has that effect on things—it adds a universal dimension and therefore a universal importance.  My internship with the National Library of Medicine was very similar in that respect. 

            Another aspect of the internship that is relatively new to me is the field of archives.  I am a librarian by nature.  Books are what I am most comfortable working with, but comfort is overrated when it comes to learning and growing as a professional.  The number one thing about archives that is different from libraries is how the metadata is entered.  Instead of the Marc records I had become accustomed to at the NLM, I found myself using Adobe Bridge.  This software uses IPTC Core.  There are no number sets to associate with a certain piece of information.  Instead there are clearly labeled topics to line up with the document’s information. 

            On one hand this is an easy way to keep track of what data needs to be mined from the object.  On the other hand, Marc records are far more detailed.  Despite the need to memorize the numbers associated with the information, it is a very organized and descriptive format.  It was not until I was knee deep in folders that I realized the IPTC format was incredibly helpful. 

            The project I am working on involves the Moses and Frances Asch Collection.  Moses Asch was the creator of Folkways Records.  He had a mission of recording all of the world’s sounds and preserving them for future generations.  The mission itself is something that draws me to the project.  I have always loved culture and the footprint that it leaves on the world.  Moses Asch- affectionately known as Moe around Folkways- saw the importance of sound to culture and wanted to record it.  I can only imagine how important his talks with Albert Einstein were in the creation of his goals.  After two failed record companies, Moses Asch finally found his rhythm- literally and figuratively- with Folkways Records.  Despite the bankruptcy and affect the Depression had on his businesses, Moe pushed forward and never gave up.  Moe teaches a lot of great lessons throughout his history. 

            This week my major digitization- because I am lucky enough that I actually learned enough to get started with it- seemed to revolve around Warren d’Azevedo from the University of Nevada.  He recorded the cycles of a Washo Indian tribe and Moses Asch wished for it to be available to everyone.  However, after a lawsuit (which you will be able to read all about when the digitized materials go up!) the record was pulled, though thanks to the internet you can still find it.  

            Guy Davis was also another folder that I worked on.  He is a wonderful jazz and blues musician who is alive and kicking in New York City.  Being able to see some of the early correspondence between him and Moe was amazing.  I was able to see an early resume of his, as well as, articles and advertisements about his band.  His early connections with Pete Seeger were a good indicator that Davis would find his way to Folkway Records.  One of the most interesting tidbits I picked up from his documents was his creation of the “mbanjo” of which there is very little information available.  It just might warrant me finding a way to contact him and find out more about it!  I would definitely recommend looking his work up.  (His work with Folkways can be previewed here: http://www.folkways.si.edu/guy-davis/dreams-about-life/african-american-music-folk/album/smithsonian.)

In a way it seems as though Moses Asch might not mind the act of digitization since it is only helping to perpetuate and continue adding to the world of sounds. 

            My major lessons this week, however, extend beyond digitizing and archival work.  It was coming to the realization that all of this was new to me and it was okay if it took some getting used to.  Without the learning period in an experience, I don’t believe that you can truly take away everything you need from the experience.  In that learning period you may make mistakes- I made the mistake of doing too much work, go figure- but that shouldn’t discourage you from moving forward.  Like Moe did with these three different record companies, you should do with your life experiences!  Keep on trying, because eventually you will strike a chord. 

Credit: http://www.folkways.si.edu/magazine/2009_fall/archive_spotlight-woody_guthrie.aspx

Life is exciting. If it's not then you're doing something wrong.

   Since I have started college my goal has been to go outside of my comfort zone.  I found that putting myself out there was something new.  The risks to my ego would be worth it, in the end, if it led me to experiences that would help me both as a person and a professional.  It took me a year to warm up to the idea completely.  Now that I am a senior at Florida State I have mastered the art of believing in myself and going for goals that may seem out of reach at first glance.

   After interning for two summers with the National Library of Medicine (Rare Book and Early Manuscripts), I found that Washington, D.C. was the perfect place to grow.  As I worked through my second to last semester at Florida State I found that I was becoming restless.  I loved my classes and was learning about a plethora of subjects, but I was also missing something very important.  I missed the feeling of being immersed in the actual work aspect of the library and museum fields.

   I formulated a plan.  I was considering going to graduate school in the D.C. area anyways, so there was no reason to wait around to move to the area.  The number of internships in D.C. for museums and libraries is truly astounding, but I had my eye set on another federal internship.  After applying to 11 different internships with the Smithsonian, National Park Service, and National Archives I really did not know what was going to happen.  What I did know was that I was taking a risk by leaving the comfort of my Floridian family, dorm room and job to add new experiences to my life story.

   When I received the email from the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, I found it hard not to jump out of my chair.  This moment of excitement and non professionalism was pocketed as I read over the project I would be working on- the Asch Folkways Digitization Project.  This internship was perfect.  It included my love of folklife, interest in archives, and added to my past digitization experiences.

   Applying to all of these internships helped me to see that you really do have to see what you are capable of- or what other people think you are capable of.  In a world that is so competitive, there is no room to be hesitant or shy.  Every class you take, every person you meet or professor who you interact can teach you something about life and help you to see your potential.  Applying to these internships was just another way of learning.  If I had sold myself short in the beginning I would have never even glanced at the Smithsonian internships and found myself in this fantastic situation.  My advice: never think about your competition, only think about what you can do to made a stronger person out of yourself.  The type of strength you wish to achieve?  Well, that's up to you!