Archives Principles and Practices — Southern Utah University Special Collections Library
A study of archival practice, ethics, and access through hands-on work with special collections materials.
As part of my coursework in Archives: Principles and Practices at Southern Utah University (SUU) , I developed a comprehensive digital portfolio showcasing my work with objects from the SUU Special Collections Library. Throughout the semester, I worked closely with three items from the John Seymour Collection—a 1935 opera score, a watercolor of SUU’s Old Main building, and a postcard featuring a Hokusai print—using them as case studies to explore archival processes from multiple perspectives.
This project is organized into three core areas: Processing and Care, Context and Awareness, and Ethics and Access. Across these sections, I conducted in-depth research on each object, wrote formal archival descriptions using DACS standards, and developed interpretive object labels designed for public audiences. I also created metadata records, analyzed provenance, and proposed preservation and handling strategies, gaining experience in both the technical and interpretive sides of archival work.
Beyond research and writing, I engaged with broader questions of positionality, access, and archival silence—examining how collections are shaped, what stories are prioritized, and how institutions can improve accessibility and representation. I also created a social media video to increase awareness of Special Collections among students, emphasizing the importance of connecting archival work to public engagement.
This portfolio reflects both analytical and creative approaches to archival practice—balancing detailed research with clear, accessible communication. It also strengthened my ability to translate complex information into engaging content for a variety of audiences.
This work reflects my interest in how history, art, and cultural institutions shape knowledge and access, and how thoughtful stewardship can make these materials more meaningful, inclusive, and visible.