Amy Cooper Cary, Candidate for Council

Professional Experience: Department Head, Special Collections and University Archives, Raynor Memorial Libraries, Marquette University, 2012–present. Archival Studies Program Director, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee School of Information Studies, 2005–2012. Assistant Head, Department of Special Collections, University of Iowa, 2004–2005. Special Collections Librarian, University of Iowa, 2001–2004. Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, University of South Dakota, 1999–2001.

Education: MS Information, Archives specialization, University of Michigan. MA Comparative Literature, Translation specialization, State University of New York, Binghamton. BA, French and English Literature, University of Michigan.

Professional Activities: Society of American Archivists: American Archivist Reviews Editor, 2010–present; American Archivist Online Content Group, 2014; Chair, Nominating Committee, 2009–2010; Education Committee, 2007–2010; Awards Committee, 2003–2006; Program Committee, 2006–2007; American Archivist Editorial Board, 2003–2007; Manuscript Repositories Section: Past Chair, 2006–2007, Chair, 2005–2006, Vice Chair, 2004–2005, Steering Committee, 2002–2004; Women Archivists Roundtable: Chair, 2000–2002, Steering Committee, 2002–2003. Midwest Archives Conference: President, 2013–2015; Education Committee Co-Chair, 2011–2013; Nominating Committee Chair, 2008–2009; Council, 2005–2008; Nominating Committee Member, 2003–2004; Archival Issues, Editor, 2006–2008; Archival Issues Editorial Board, 2002–2006; New Author Award and Margaret Cross Norton Award Committees, 2001; Program Committees: Co Chair Spring 2016, Fall 2009, Fall 2004, Spring 2002. ACRL/RBMS: RBM Reviews Editor, 2013–Present; Committee on Interlibrary Loan of Rare and Unique Materials, 2002–2004.

Related professional activities: Harvard Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, 2013; Archives Leadership Institute, 2008; South Dakota SHRAB, 2000–2001; South Dakota Library Association, Archives Committee Chair, 2000–2001; South Dakota Library Association Historian, 1999–2001.

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Question posed by the Nominating Committee: How would you utilize your skills and experience to help make SAA thrive in an environment that expects more communication, collaboration, and demonstrated action?

Fostering SAA as a thriving, dynamic organization—where collaborations result in actions that speak to our mission of excellence and innovation—does not happen in a vacuum. It requires cooperative work by all members of leadership, serving an engaged membership. Transparency of leadership is critical to this endeavor, and my service to SAA and to the Midwest Archives Conference have heightened my awareness of this. My service on multiple committees in SAA has shown me the significant work of the organization taking place in sections, round tables, committees, and task forces. Efforts to increase the effectiveness of SAA leadership must focus on communication, advocacy, and support for the members working in these capacities. As a Council member, I expect my best work to be done as an advocate for the committees and members that I serve. My SAA service has also given me the ability to recognize and work through thorny issues that may take time to resolve. The ability to see the bigger picture in these situations and to continually communicate needs and results is critical. For example, as a member of the Editorial Board of The American Archivist I’ve twice been involved in substantive discussions about the future of the online presence of The American Archivist. My presence on these task forces required me to work collaboratively and persistently on complex issues, drawing on solid research and clearly communicating results in order to inform the Editorial Board’s recommendations.

The lessons I’ve learned as MAC President will also serve me well. I have learned that understanding the needs of the organization requires me to focus beyond the core leadership group. As a result, I’ve cultivated a leadership model where I try to consistently engage Council, working groups, and the membership to identify collaborators and problem solvers for specific organizational needs. I approach each situation with the willingness to listen to new ideas, involve people to discuss options, and clearly communicate outcomes.

However strong these experiences are as preparation to participate in driving the goals of SAA, what may be most important is my personal commitment to the archives profession. I value this profession, what we do every day, and the individuals who do truly brilliant work in the attempt to make our archival record accessible. I have served in our professional organizations, I have worked in repositories, and I have had the great good fortune to teach some truly talented archivists and work with archival educators as colleagues. I am eager to bring the breadth of my experience and professional service to the table as a member of SAA Council.

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