Tim Pyatt
Dean of the Library, Wake Forest University
“As SAA Treasurer I would see my role as helping the Society meet its goals while working to ensure financial stability and sustainability. I would work with Council and the SAA staff to identify ways to support new initiatives from the membership and help us advance the archival profession.”
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Dean of the Library, Wake Forest University, 2015–present.
- Huck Chair and Head, The Eberly Family Special Collections Library, Penn State University, 2011–2015.
- Associate Director of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library (2006–2010), University Archivist (2002–2011), Duke University, 2001–2011.
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1998–2007.
- Director, Southern Historical Collection (1999–2002), Curator of Manuscripts (1997–2002), Assistant Curator of Manuscripts and Collection Management Librarian (1995–1997), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1995–2002.
- Curator of Marylandia and Rare Books, University of Maryland College Park, 1993–1995.
- Director of Processing and Preservation, Maryland State Archives, 1990–1993.
- Special Collections Librarian/University Archivist, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1988–1990.
- Rare Books/Special Collections Librarian, University of Oregon Library, 1986–1988.
EDUCATION
- MA, Library Science, North Carolina Central University, 1986.
- BA, History, Duke University, 1981.
- Association of Research Libraries Leadership Fellow, 2013–2015.
- Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2006.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Society of American Archivists: Mosaic Program Advisory Group (2016–2019); Council member (2013–2016); Nominating Committee (2015–2016); Committee on Ethics and Professional Conduct (2007–2013), Chair (2009–2012); College and University Archives Section, Chair (2004–2006); Privacy and Confidentiality Roundtable, Chair (2003–2004), Vice Chair (2002–2003), Steering Committee (2000–2001, 2008–2010); Program Committee (2001–2002); North Carolina Membership Contact (1999–2001).
- Society of North Carolina Archivists: Local Arrangements Committee, Co-chair (2008–2009); Nominating Committee, Chair (2001–2002); MARAC/SNCA Joint Meeting Program Committee (2000–2001); Development and Education Committee, Chair (2000–2001); President (1999–2000); Vice President/President-Elect (1997–1998); Program Committee, Chair (1997–1998).
- Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference: Program Committee (1990–1991); Steering Committee (1990–1992).
- North Carolina Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Committee (2017–2020).
- ArchivesSpace: Board of Trustees (2013–2015).
- North Carolina State Historical Records Advisory Board (2000–2005).
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS
- Named Distinguished Fellow of the Society of American Archivists, 2012.
- “The Harding Affair Letters: How One Archivist Took Every Measure Possible to Ensure Their Preservation.” Case Studies in Archival Ethics (SAA, 2015).
- “Security Without Obscurity: Managing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in Born-Digital Archives,” Library & Archival Security Vol. 26:1-2, 2013: pp. 37-55 (co-author with Ben Goldman).
- “Issues of Privacy in College and University Archives,” College and University Archives: Readings in Theory and Practice (SAA, 2008).
- “Southern Family Honor Tarnished? Issues of Privacy in the Walker Percy and Shelby Foote Papers,” Privacy and Confidentiality Perspectives: Archivists and Archival Records (SAA, 2005).
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
- Co-instructor of Managing Electronic Records, Society of American Archivists workshop, 2010–2012.
- "Not for the Uninitiated: Documenting Secret Societies," SAA Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2011.
- "DukeSpace—The Right Space for E-Records?" SAA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, 2008.
- "Managing the Records of Public Affairs in the Digital Era: Assessment, Scheduling, and Transfer, an Update," SAA Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2007.
QUESTION POSED BY NOMINATING COMMITTEE
One of SAA’s core organizational values is to foster a culture of creativity and experimentation across the association. How can the position of Treasurer incorporate that core value while ensuring the following outcomes:
- Continuation of SAA’s good financial standing;
- Meeting members’ needs;
- Encourage investing in sustainable ways; and
- Financial transparency.
CANDIDATE'S RESPONSE
As SAA Treasurer, I would see my role as helping the Society meet its goals while working to ensure financial stability and sustainability. I would bring substantial budgetary experience, as I presently develop and manage a $12 million budget as dean and also have had fiduciary oversight responsibilities from the various boards I have served on. My experience as a section and committee chair as well as a member of Council give me an understanding of our governance structure and how our budget is created. Membership dues, the Annual Meeting, and educational offerings are all key sources for our budget. As the needs of the profession and our membership grow and evolve, SAA also needs to consider what new revenue sources need to be developed to support our mission. Advocacy, outreach, and increasing the diversity of our profession require resources in the form of SAA staff and financial support to be successful. The growing SAA Foundation can also assist in these areas and already provides funds to advance several goals from our strategic plan. As Treasurer, I would work with Council and the SAA staff to identify ways to support new initiatives from the membership and help us advance the archival profession. Finally, our budget must be transparent to the membership and as Treasurer, I would work with the Finance Committee and SAA leadership to have that as a priority.
