Emory Report
December 7, 2009
Volume 62, Number 13



 

   

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December 7, 2009
Archivist sought; Cain’s role changes

By Lea McLees

The Emory University Libraries will begin a national search for a new Emory University archivist by the end of the year, according to Rick Luce, vice provost and director of libraries.

The new archivist — the leader of the Office of University Archives and Records Management — will be responsible for advancing these areas in support of the University’s and the Emory Libraries’ missions in education, research and outreach, Luce says.

“A key challenge for our new archivist will be addressing the complexities and growth of digital records and materials on campus,” Luce says. “In addition, more and more of the records our alumni leaders choose to put in Emory’s care will be digital. We must be prepared to preserve that history and ensure that it is accessible not just today, but in years to come. Digital innovation is a key strategic planning goal for us.”

The new archivist will build on university archives programs and processes begun in 1997 by Emory’s first university archivist, Ginger Cain ’77C–’82G.

Cain continues her work as director of public programming for the Emory Libraries, and was selected this fall by Development and Alumni Relations as one of two co-chairs for the MyEmory Employee Campaign, a component of Campaign Emory that kicks off in early 2010, Luce says.

“As an Emory graduate and a longtime Emory employee, Ginger knows the University and its extended family better than anyone else on campus,” Luce says. “She brings people, their interests and Emory’s collections together, consistently pulling in audiences of 100-plus for our readings and other programs. Her accomplishments and contacts in this area support our strategic planning goals in collections and user services, which benefit Campaign Emory, as well.”

Cain also will serve Development and Alumni Relations as the Libraries liaison to the Emory Alumni Association and the Emory Annual Fund, says Josh Newton, senior associate vice president of development and alumni relations.

“Ginger has deep connections with many of the alumni of the former, as well as with other library friends and supporters as a result of her long tenure with Emory, and certainly as an alum,” Newton says. “In these roles she will continue to help strengthen outreach and engagement with alumni and friends, as well as work to build support for the University Library’s top priorities.”

In addition to launching the university archives, Cain has ensured their visibility and use across the Emory community in myriad ways. She has presented and written about Emory history for every branch of the Emory family on and off campus.

Cain also has helped integrate historical records into teaching, research and university-wide initiatives such as the Transforming Community Project (TCP), says Naomi Nelson, interim director of the Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library.

“Ginger started from scratch and made the archives a living, breathing part of campus life and education here at Emory,” Nelson says. “This is a huge accomplishment which will preserve Emory’s culture and influence not just in the archives, but in the hearts and minds of students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.”

The use of the university archives in TCP will be featured in an article by Andrew Urban, a community research fellow on TCP, in the spring 2010 MARBL magazine.