MLA Archivist Annual Report 2021

submitted by Christina Taylor Gibson

Current Roster

  • Christina Taylor Gibson, MLA Archivist (2025)

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

PREVIOUS GOALS (regular type copied from Melissa Wertheimer, outgoing archivist; italics are my comments)

  • Help the newly selected MLA Archivist onboard smoothly, and share institutional knowledge and procedures unique to the position and the records under the position’s care. (Organizational Excellence) Melissa has been invaluable to my transition into the post during a pandemic year. She continues to be a source of wisdom, and I appreciate her help. 
  • Continue to be an ambassador for the collection and a reference for MLA members about MLA history (Organizational Excellence, Advocacy, and Value of the Profession) This is also ongoing, as you will see below. 

Goals from March 2021 to August 2021:

  • Move MLA finding aids into the online system at UMD, so that completed portions are discoverable from our search window. Achieved, awaiting approval from Special Collections in Performing Arts (SCPA) curator for publication. (Outreach)
  • Begin regular outreach and engagement to the MLA community through the MLA Newsletter. First article should be published within a few weeks; a second article to follow by the end of the calendar year. (Outreach)
  • Respond to reference requests about the MLA collection. Achieved; I’ve answered at least four reference questions since March. (Organizational Excellence)
  • Manage accessioning of new material. This has been tricky because of the pandemic environment. Just a few weeks ago the limitation on physical accessions was lifted, and I’m in the process of contacting those who have reached out. I have accepted one box of materials and set up one folder for digital accessioning. (Organizational Excellence)

List of Future Goals

  • Continue to learn the collection so that I can better serve researchers and members. (Organizational Excellence, Membership Inclusion)
  • Oversee processing of new materials as SCPA returns to full functionality. (Organizational Excellence)
  • Consult with SCPA and MLA stakeholders about the possibility of a regular field study partnership. (Organizational Excellence, Membership Inclusion)