August 27, 2024
Preserving local history is something students like Carlee Stoner are excited to pursue.
Stoner, a student in the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program, is completing her field experience at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP). Under the guidance of Amanda Ciccone, archivist at CLP’s main branch, Stoner is serving patrons in the Hill District and curating Victorian-era Valentine’s cards.
The MLIS three-credit field experience placement provides students with career readiness on-site in a library or information-focused environment.
“The Community Collection at the CLP’s Hill District branch was not stored in a way that would keep it in good condition for long-term use. My job was to create a finding aid for it and rehouse the materials for long-term use. This way, everyone can have easy access to the collection and navigate it to find what they need,” explained Stoner.
Stoner’s current project is part of CLP’s Pennsylvania Postcard Collection.
“Most of the items I am working with are die-cut Valentine’s cards. I am working towards digitizing these, and they will eventually be available to view online!” said Stoner. “This has been such a unique experience, as every card is skillfully designed and crafted with sentimentality in mind.”
These two projects have shown Stoner the significance of preserving local history and keeping artifacts like books, art, postcards, and other materials accessible to local populations. Preserving materials at community centers like libraries is essential in keeping cultures alive.
“I’ve learned just how important cultural heritage and local history is to people. What we are preserving is the history of us and the region we live in, so keeping historic materials intact and accessible can mean a lot to people,” said Stoner. “The Hill District Community Collection could very well be a resource for someone to find out more about their family history.”
After graduation, Stoner plans to pursue graduate certificates in preservation and records management. She also hopes to work with collections like those at CLP, as her field experience has been a memorable and meaningful experience.
“Librarians and other information professionals keep communities and the world of academia running,” said Stoner. “We are the gateways that students and researchers need to succeed and further their academic careers!”
Learn more about Carlee Stoner.