2018 Special Election and Candidate Information

MDOS is currently looking for a Co-Chair (2 years service, plus a possible additional year as Steering Committee member)

We are also looking for a Steering Committee member.  

 Candidate for Co-Chair

(vote for 1)

Blake Graham

Bio:

Blake Graham is the Digital Archivist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, where he develops and executes collection, preservation, and management initiatives for digital archives. Blake earned an MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2016), and an MA in History from the University of South Alabama (2013). He is a Certified Archivist (2016-present), and has also completed the Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) Curriculum and Certificate Program (2016). Blake has been involved in local, regional, and national committees, including SAA’s Mentoring Program (2013-present), Metadata and Digital Objects Sections (MDOS) steering committee (2016-present), Midwest Archives Conference Membership Committee (2017-present), and several local committees affiliated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.

Statement of Interest:

I would be delighted to serve as co-chair on the MDOS leadership team for the 2018 ballot. As one of the largest sections in SAA, MDOS has tremendous potential for service to the professional community. As co-chair, I would like to work closely with the leadership team to continue encouraging proactive discussion about metadata creation and management, as well as digital archives management and preservation. My intent is to foster inclusive communication channels that will contribute to ongoing professional discourse. I look forward to the opportunity to build on previous efforts and help move the section forward.

 Candidate for Steering Committee Members

(vote for 2)

Elisa Landaverde

Bio:

Elisa Landaverde is a Metadata Librarian at Michigan State University Libraries where she focuses on digital collections, and is currently involved in different projects for Special Collections and for the MSUL digital repository.
I first dipped my toes in metadata while volunteering at the Penn Museum Photography Archives. This first gig led me to volunteer for the Oriental Institute Photography Archives in Chicago. I was unaware at the time that I was slowly building up to my current position as a metadata librarian, where object description is a key component of my day to day work.

Statement of Interest:

I recently joined the MDOS discussion list because I want to make sure we continue to voice some of the challenges we face when describing digital objects for our audience. I have touched on this issue at different platforms such as the Digital Library Federation (DLF), the Mid-Michigan Digital Practitioners (MMDP), and the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW). As a member of the MDOS Steering Committee I would like to support others who like myself find the need to raise awareness on current challenges such as neutrality, the inclusion of underrepresented communities, and our commitment to provide an effective source for research.

Courtney R. Butler

Bio:

Courtney R. Butler is the Data Curator at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. She received her MLS with a specialization in Archives and Records Management from Indiana University Bloomington, and she has worked with digital archives and records in a number of locations, including the Missouri State Archives, Kansas City Public Library Missouri Valley Special Collections, and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

 Statement of Interest:

Throughout my library education and career, my interests have centered around access and usability – particularly in the context of digital objects and long-term preservation. Metadata obviously plays a large role in these areas, and I’ve been working to immerse myself in related learning and growth opportunities as much as possible. I am in the midst of developing and implementing a digital preservation strategy in my current role, which has included a significant amount of metadata-related investigation and tasks. I look forward to participating more actively with colleagues on these topics and contributing to the MDOS.