Erin Lawrimore, Candidate for Council

Professional Experience: University Archivist, Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2011–present. Lecturer [Online Education], School of Information, San Jose State University, 2007–present. Associate Head and Curator, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University, 2008–2011. Coordinator for Acquisitions and Processing, Special Collections Library, University of Tennessee, 2005-2008. Fred Thompson Papers Project Archivist, Special Collections Library, University of Tennessee, 2003–2005.

Education: MS in Information Studies, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, 2003. BA in English, Duke University, 1999.

Professional Activities: Society of American Archivists: Committee on Public Awareness, 2014–2017 (Vice-chair, 2015–2016); CoSA/NAGARA/SAA Joint Working Group on Issues and Awareness, 2014–2017; Reference, Access, and Outreach Section Steering Committee, 2014–2016; Awards Committee Co-chair, 2011–2013; Annual Meeting Task Force, Online Accessibility Subgroup, 2011–2013; Issues and Advocacy Roundtable Steering Committee, 2010–2013; Hamer-Keegan Award Subcommittee, 2007–2010 (Chair, 2009–2010); Description Section Steering Committee, 2008–2011 (Chair, 2009–2010). Society of Georgia Archivists: Managing Editor of Provenance, 2010–present. Archival Practice (journal): Founder and Editor, 2013–present. Archives Leadership Institute: Member of 2013 cohort.

Selected Publications: "Mission Critical: Effective Internal Advocacy for Your Archives," Journal for the Society of North Carolina Archivists, vol. 11, no. 1 (2014), p. 2–18. "Charles Adams and the Controversy over Use of the Woman's College Library in Segregated North Carolina," North Carolina Libraries vol. 7, no. 1 (2013). "Collaboration for a 21st Century Archives: Connecting University Archives with the Library's Information Technology Professionals," Collaborative Librarianship, vol. 5, no. 3 (2013). "Margaret Cross Norton: Defining and Redefining Archives and the Archival Profession," Libraries and the Cultural Record, vol. 44, no. 2 (2009), p. 183–200.   

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Question posed by Nominating Committee: 

SAA is a member-governed organization that is composed of dozens of constituent groups with a variety of viewpoints. In recent years, SAA’s governance structure has strived to be more transparent and responsive in addressing member concerns. If elected, how would you help insure that the Council continues on this path and represents the broad interests of our diverse profession in a transparent manner?

Candidate's Response:

As a member of SAA's Annual Meeting Task Force (2011-2013), I appreciated the organization's responsiveness in addressing member concerns and task force feedback through reevaluating the annual meeting site selection process and expanding programming options. Since joining SAA as a student in 2001, I have seen the organization's transparency and responsiveness evolve. But I feel that there are still many ways in which SAA can solicit input and disclose its actions in a way that will present the diversity of professional viewpoints while still being alert to member needs and concerns.

I would like to see SAA leaders on all levels participate in "town hall" discussions with membership. At the 2014 Annual Meeting, I was excited to organize a town hall discussion with SAA leadership (then incoming President Kathleen Roe and Executive Director Nancy Beaumont). Members asked great questions, and Kathleen and Nancy provided excellent responses that really helped illuminate the work of the organization. In the vein of AMA ("Ask Me Anything") conversations on Reddit, I want to see a regularly scheduled online discussion with many of the current SAA leaders to discuss the work being done by their particular groups. Taking the "town hall" concept online not only broadens the audience, but it allows for a more timely discussion of key issues affecting the membership.

Additionally, I feel that more convenient access to information and options for discussion on key issues would encourage member feedback, making it easier to be well-informed and actively involved in decision making. I would like to see greater use of (or an extension of) the Off the Record blog that would allow leaders across SAA—from executive leadership to Council to component groups to task forces and committees—to provide a narrative summary of their work (including explanations of key decisions), with links to the more detailed minutes and addendums that are likely already available on the SAA site. Providing information, facilitating discussion, and personalizing the important work being done largely by volunteers behind the scenes can make the decision making process more transparent, understandable, and relatable.

If elected to Council, I will work to ensure that the membership is provided with information and discussion opportunities in efficient and clear ways. Opening the discussion channels and making information more readily available will result in greater member understanding of the processes and decisions—even when those processes and decisions might not match a member's individual viewpoint or opinion. 

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