Special Collections welcomes Jessica Blackwell to the Library for an 8-month co-op work term as a Project Archivist.
Since starting at the Library in September, Jessica has been primarily working to arrange and describe archival collections and provide reference service.
, Ext. 35743
Although this is Jessica’s first archives position, you would never guess it. She already talks like a seasoned archivist, describing collections with such detail and passion that you can’t help but suddenly care about collections you only learned about two minutes earlier.
“Coming from an art history background, I have always been interested in working in the area of heritage and archives,” Jessica says. “I am amazed by the research opportunities and wealth of knowledge that the department’s archival collections present. I am constantly learning new things!”
So far Jessica has described, arranged, and processed the Shantz Russell Fonds, the Rubber Machinery Shops Fonds, and the Bertram R. Davis Fonds, just to name a few – all of which will be available to researchers shortly.
Before arriving at the Library, Jessica worked at the London Public Library in downtown London. She also has experience working in the heritage and museums field with former positions at the Township of Wilmot and THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener.
Jessica is currently completing her MLIS degree at Western. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph where she majored in Art History with a minor in Theory and Criticism. She has also completed the online Library Technician program through Mohawk College.
Outside of work, Jessica enjoys antiquing and day-tripping to heritage and historic sites with her fiancé Rogan. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her two cats Arthur and Harvey.
Jessica’s position is partially funded by the Gladys Srivastava Library Endowment, an endowment set up by former University of Waterloo faculty member Dr. K. D. Srivastava in memory of his late wife Gladys Srivastava. Gladys Srivastava spent many years at Waterloo during which she was a Masters of English student, a Librarian, and an Arts Co-op Coordinator.
In alternating years, the Gladys Srivastava Library Endowment funds an internship at the Library and a graduate scholarship for a student recipient in the Department of English. The internship helps provide practical training for graduate students enrolled in Library and Information Science programs at Canadian universities.
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