Steven Booth, Candidate for Council

Professional Experience: Archivist, Barack Obama Presidential Library, National Archives and Records Administration, 2016–present. Archivist, Office of Records Management, The White House, 2016–2017. Archivist, Presidential Materials Division, National Archives and Records Administration, 2009–2016. Consultant, The King Center Imaging Project, JPMorgan & Chase, 2011–2012. Project Archivist, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Archive, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University, 2008–2009.

Education: MS, School of Library and Information Science (concentration in Archives Management), Simmons College, 2009. BA, Music, Morehouse College, 2007.

Professional Activities: Society of American Archivists: Member since 2008; Awards Committee, 2013–2016 (Co-chair); Archivists and Archives of Color Roundtable, 2011–2013 (Co-chair); Harold T. Pinkett Minority Student Award Selection Committee, 2011–2012, 2012-2013 (Chair). Archivists of Metro DC: Co-Founder and Organizer, 2015–present. Archives Leadership Institute: Attendee, 2015. Association of Research Libraries: National Diversity in Libraries Conference Travel Award Selection Committee, 2016. American Library Association: Spectrum Advisory Committee, 2014–2015; Knowledge Alliance, Recruiter, 2011–2015; Spectrum Scholarship Jury, 2011 and 2013. Institute of Museum and Library Services: Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, Field Reviewer, 2014. National Historical Publications and Records Commissions: Documenting Democracy Grant, Peer Reviewer, 2014.

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 Question posed by Nominating Committee:

How would you leverage your role on the Council as a liaison to various SAA groups to support their initiatives and encourage the general membership to present new ideas to the Council and be more engaged with SAA leadership?

Candidate's Response:

SAA groups represent the many shared identities, professional interests and values of the general membership and archival community. They provide an environment for archivists and archives to share experiences, discuss issues, raise awareness, and campaign for change. Often the initiatives and projects undertaken by SAA groups mobilize members and allied professionals to become actively involved in the organization. 

Being a part of various SAA groups has afforded me invaluable professional experience and also strengthened my organizational awareness. As a Council liaison, I'd like to work with group leaders and steering committees to develop and implement opportunities for members to contribute their skill sets and expertise. While the role of the Council is to govern, I believe Council members have a responsibility to work on behalf of SAA groups and the general membership that goes beyond simply disseminating information about SAA business throughout the year. I would strive to regularly engage informally in conversations with former and current members, student chapters, sections, and committees to gain their perspective about the organization. I’d also like to identify new ways to recognize the community service and passion projects of non-archivists and archivists who contribute to the advancement of the profession and raise public awareness about archives.

Through these efforts, I hope to not only support and encourage membership participation, but to also serve as a sounding board and provide resources for achieving the strategic goals at the grassroots level. As a volunteer organization, the commitment and service of the membership to SAA is unparalleled. While many of our members already embrace the mission and strategic goals, let us offer them as well as former and prospective members a reason to be a part of the organization through engaging, meaningful, and dynamic opportunities.

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