Daria Labinsky, Candidate for Nominating Committee

Daria Labinsky

Archivist, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

“We want candidates who are young, energetic, and filled with new ideas, and also seasoned professionals who can bring their expertise and knowledge to the many challenges faced by SAA leaders.”

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Archivist, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, 2017–present.
• Archivist, National Archives at St. Louis, 2013–2017.
• Preservation Technician, National Archives at St. Louis, 2010–2013.
• Local History/Adult Services Librarian, Rio Rancho (NM) Public Library, 2001–2008.

EDUCATION

• MLS, Emporia State University; MS Journalism and BS Radio/TV/Film, Northwestern University.
• Archives Leadership Institute, 2016 cohort.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Society of American Archivists: Committee on Public Policy (2018–present); Issues & Advocacy Section, Steering Committee/Chair of General News Team (2016–2017); SAA Mentor. Current section memberships: Government Records; Women Archivists; Privacy & Confidentiality; Reference, Access & Outreach; Issues & Advocacy; Military Archives.  
• Academy of Certified Archivists: Member (2010–present); Regent for Exam Administration ( 2017–present).
• Regional Archival Associations Consortium: Member (2014–2016); Steering Committee Member; Chair, Disaster Planning and Recovery Subcommittee (2015–2016). 
• Midwest Archives Conference: Member (2010–present); Current candidate for Council; Program Committee co-chair (2018); Public Information Officer (2014–2016); Program Committee (2012–2013). 
• Society of Georgia Archivists: Member (2018–present); Program Committee (2019). 
• Association of St. Louis Area Archivists: Member (2011–2017).  
• Society of Southwest Archivists: Member (2001–present).

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS

• “Phone Calls, Yes, Faxes, No—A Congressional Intern Gives It to Us Straight,” SAA Issues & Advocacy (blog), 2017.
• “Breaking the Silence,” SAA Issues & Advocacy (blog), 2017.
• “Digital Cameras: Godsend or Cash Cow?” SAA Issues & Advocacy (blog), 2016.
• Review, Book Repair: A How-to-Do-It Manual, Archival Issues (2012).
• “Barriers to Diffusion in South Africa and Their Effect on the AIDS Epidemic,” Current Studies in Librarianship (2000).
• Co-author, Frank Applegate of Santa Fe, Artist and Preservationist (2001); The Beer Lover’s Guide to the United States (2000); The Brewpub Cookbook (1997).
• Archivist’s Award, National Archives and Records Administration (2018).
• Southwest Book Award, Border Regional Library Association (2002).
• John Michael Caldwell Scholarship, Society of Southwest Archivists (2001).

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

• Society of American Archivists: “ ‘Ready for Your Closeup?’ How Archivists Can Handle—and Benefit From—Sudden Celebrity,” 2018.
• Midwest Archives Conference: “Send the Word, Send the Word: Sharing Records of the Great War,” 2017; “That Elusive Golden Minimum: When Closure Is Far, Far Away,” 2016; “The MAC Great Debate,” 2014.

QUESTION POSED BY NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Although Nominating Committee members serve for just one year, their work has a lasting impact on SAA and its members through the selection of Vice Presidential, Council, and Treasurer candidates, as well as selection of the Nominating Committee slate that determines the next set of slates. Given the long-term reach of the Nominating Committee, what will be your approach in developing a slate of candidates that 1) demonstrates commitment to SAA's strategic goals and 2) facilitates the organization's mission of promoting the value and diversity of archives and archivists?  

CANDIDATE'S RESPONSE

SAA’s Strategic Goals include: “Support development of executive leadership skills and encourage participation in leadership opportunities by archivists at all stages of their careers.” They also emphasize the importance of finding and growing leaders who advocate for archives, records, and archival institutions; support and represent diversity and inclusion; and encourage creating a sense of community.

So how do we meet those goals? By drawing on the resources SAA has already provided us.

To put together a diverse and inclusive slate, why not reach out to members of the Archivists and Archives of Color and Diverse Sexuality sections, past Mosaic Scholarship recipients and committee members, and others who can provide insight into potential candidates? As for organizational diversity, the Nominating Committee could gather information from members of relevant sections—Business Archives, Government Records, Religious Archives, etc. 

How can we find candidates who advocate for the profession and support the SAA community? The Nominating Committee could look at those who have shown commitment to SAA and the profession by actively participating in SAA activities and sections, remotely and/or in person. Are they willing to take on committee or section leadership responsibilities? Do they write blog posts for their sections, give presentations, lead webinars?  

We want candidates who are young, energetic, and filled with new ideas, and also seasoned professionals who can bring their expertise and knowledge to the many challenges faced by SAA leaders. Given the years and breadth of experience possessed by my fellow candidates, I think the next Nominating Committee will have a great head start when it’s time to recruit candidates for 2020. Their “hive mind” will no doubt produce an exceptional group, and I would be proud to join them.    

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