Spotlight Award: Anne Ostendarp

Anne Ostendarp, multimedia archivist for the Knights of Columbus and a consulting and project archivist, is the 2015 recipient of the Spotlight Award. The Spotlight Award recognizes the contributions of individuals who work for the good of the profession and archival collections—work that does not typically receive public recognition.

A long-time archivist, Ostendarp is a dedicated professional who provides excellent guidance to her clients and exceptional service to archival organizations. She was selected for the Spotlight Award not only for these achievements but also for the way she has made archival practices understandable for hundreds of individuals who have taken workshops with her. Ostendarp developed curriculums for the Association Archives and Archives Overview workshops, teaching numerous times across the country for SAA. She also became the coinstructor of SAA’s Understanding Archives workshop and has taught at the SAA Annual Meeting and archival regional groups for the last ten years. Many of her workshop attendees come from small historical societies, academic institutions, and businesses seeking knowledge to improve responsible handling of the archival holdings in their care. Ostendarp’s instruction empowers them to do so, providing both theoretical structure and practical guidelines that can be immediately put into effect at a home institution.

One supporter wrote, “One of [Ostendarp’s] amazing qualities is the ability to impart her vast knowledge of archives in a way that is personable and easy to understand.” Another commented, “Along with providing the students with a treasure trove of information, [Ostendarp] brought an enthusiasm that students found contagious. She served as both an excellent instructor and an effective advocate for the archival profession.”