The Authority File Round-Up: November 2022

A quick overview of last month's episodes, in case you missed them

Posted on December 13, 2022 in Blog

Archives provide both past and present understandings of the queer record. Reading and interpreting firsthand primary sources directly from the queer perspective—rather than through secondary accounts or observations—centers the historical queer experience. As one of our guests last month emphasized, it reveals how “in some ways, there’s nothing modern about queer communities.” In the first of two series in November, our speaker dove into her use of primary sources in her research on 19th-century lesbian literature and history. She underscored the patience and understanding required for archival work, particularly with the coded diaries of Anne Lister, a 19th-century lesbian diarist and landowner. The series also examined the importance of proper citation, the accessibility of digital archives, and situating sources in the appropriate historical and cultural context.

In our second series, our guests detailed the role of marketing for the modern academic library. Joined by the coauthors of Practical Marketing for the Academic Library, we unpacked how to better connect with and inform patrons of library services, in addition to the unique messaging needed for students, faculty, and administration. Our speakers covered the benefits of empathetic marketing when reaching the “whole student,” and how marketing efforts can help libraries reassess their offerings. Explaining the importance of a strategic plan, the series further discussed how to implement DEI marketing policies, recommendations for “libraries of one,” and the difference between marketing and outreach.

Here’s a quick round-up of the episodes, in case you missed them. We hope you find the conversations interesting, insightful, and inspiring. Thanks for listening!

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The Impact of Primary Sources on Lesbian Literature and History

In this first series, Rachel M. Friars, Doctoral Candidate in the Department of English Language and Literature at Queen’s University, highlights the importance of primary sources in 19th-century lesbian history. Walking us through the diaries of Anne Lister, a 19th-century lesbian diarist, traveler, and landowner, Rachel explains their impact on queer studies and her own research. She also digs into the convenience of digitized collections, the skills required to handle the unique intricacies of archives, and the pitfalls of overgeneralization. Brought to you by AM.

Listen to episode one: Introductions and Approaching the Materials
Listen to episode two: Anne Lister and “Slowing Down” in the Archives
Listen to episode three: Applying Primary Source Literacy Skills
Listen to episode four: The Evolution and Significance of Queer Archives

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Practical Marketing for the Academic Library

Our second series brings together Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, eLearning Librarian at the College of Southern Nevada, and Kimberly Shotick, Student Success Librarian and Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University, coauthors of Practical Marketing for the Academic Library. Stephanie and Kimberly highlight the benefits of library marketing and offer tips for forming effective teams, crafting engaging messaging, and boosting engagement with library services. They further explore the difference between “marketing for the mind” and “marketing for the heart,” also noting the importance of applying DEI principles to library outreach efforts. Brought to you by ABC-CLIO.

Listen to episode one: Introductions, Definitions, and Context
Listen to episode two: Audience and Messaging
Listen to episode three: A Team Effort
Listen to episode four: Incorporating DEI Practices into Strategy and Assessment

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Missed October’s episodes? We’ve got you covered.

Last month, Dr. Rebecca “Bek” Cooney, Chief Editor of the forthcoming Nature Mental Health, provided an in-depth look at the journal’s holistic approach toward well-being and the reframing of mental health as a human right. The series dove into how to implement inclusive publishing ideals and the difference between equity and equality in mental health programs. Bek further discussed the current publishing environment and the shifting role of librarians. You can listen to the series here.

Our second series featured J.A. Weingarten and Jason Camlot, coeditors of Unpacking the Personal Library: The Public and Private Life of Books. Our guests uncovered what happens when private collections are made public, and what personal collections can reveal about the cultural moment. The speakers also surfaced the value of physical objects and “wandering the stacks” in today’s modern, digitally-focused libraries. Listen to the first episode here.

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What’s Coming Up in December

Sundhya Walther, author of Multispecies Modernity: Disorderly Life in Postcolonial Literature, joins the program to discuss her research on animal-human interactions in postcolonial literature. Sundhya explains her focus on contemporary India, highlighting how animals contribute to the country’s iconography and shared spaces. She also explores our responsibility to respect otherness, calling her work a “non-devouring process,” and covers the evolution of animal studies into a broader ecological field. Click here to listen to the first episode.

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You can find more episodes of the Authority File here on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for listening! See you next month.

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