Try as I might, I can’t think of a better greeting than that, for truly, it’s my heartfelt prayer that everyone who reads this post finds peace within. As a Catholic feminist, I might be seen as a dichotomy in my ongoing struggle to balance the human the Church wants me to be and the woman the world says I can be. Therefore, rather than choose one path over the other, I daily strive to live out a personalized calling that honors my faith and inner compass as well as challenges me to be more than what’s expected of me. And so, in my search for peace and in my extension of peace to all I may meet, I invite you to accompany me on this journey of sharing and self-discovery.
In attempting to answer the elusive question of who I am, it’s simplest to start with a summary of what I have been doing and where I am going.
After 15+ years as a North Carolina high school librarian, helping students prepare for their post-graduation plans, I began dreaming about what I wanted to do upon my eventual graduation from public school service. Transitioning to a college or university library has a certain appeal, but I can also see myself in a public library. Then, in September 2017, I toured the (Sisters of) Mercy Heritage Center in Belmont, NC, and I left with a clearer direction in mind. Having always been drawn to antique furniture, handwritten letters, black and white photographs, vintage clothing, and old(er) books, movies, and music, it never occurred to me that I could perhaps work in archives and special collections that housed these historical items. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the Sisters of Mercy and am interested in pursuing additional ways that I can help them, and other religious communities, preserve their past and raise awareness of their contributions.
Even though retirement is over a decade away, I’ve started laying the groundwork by participating in an online graduate certificate program and even volunteering in archives to assist with future employment. I’m excited to commence my 7th part-time semester at the University of Southern Mississippi and hope to graduate in May. Before the arrival of COVID-19, I had the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on training at the Mercy Heritage Center by processing the Omaha Regional Community Mercy Associates materials and creating a finding aid for the collection. As I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I planned to continue on as a summer intern but have unfortunately been unable to return to the Mercy archives because of the pandemic.
For my archival practicum, I had intended to collaborate with the Local History and Archives staff at my town’s public library to digitize the Mooresville High School annual/yearbook collection for which we both hold duplicate and unique copies. What began as a digital preservation assignment for a LIS 645 class has evolved into a meaningful means of combining my love of school libraries with a new-found passion for ensuring access to past, present-day, and future artifacts. However, the Mooresville Public Library is currently closed to volunteers so I must delay this joint digitization project for an unforeseen time, which leads to why I’m enrolled in a digital humanities course.
In order to graduate this spring, HUM 502 was my only option, but yet, what a blessing it’s been. While I was disappointed to discover that I could not assist the Mooresville Local History and Archives with an in-person project, I’m immensely grateful for the chance to learn more about digital humanities. Since I’ve only dabbled in Omeka for my school’s yearbook cover collection, I’m confident that the skills I will practice under Dr. Walters’ tutelage will continue to help me become a better librarian and archivist, especially as I describe data about data and tag it for use in her class. Although I’m always a bit apprehensive of how to successfully juggle academic responsibilities with my personal and professional demands each term, to peace shall I cling and all will be well.
