This summer I had the pleasure of interning in the Torreyson Library archives at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), where I was tasked with processing the Norbert O. Schedler collection. I came across this opportunity through the weekly honors college announcements and was thrilled because it felt like it was tailor-made for me. As an aspiring archivist, it provided me the opportunity to roll my sleeves up and develop skills that are crucial for my future career. It was also very exciting to go through the personal and professional materials of the individual who founded the very college that has shaped my academic journey at UCA.
I was in awe of the breadth of this collection (the section I was working on consisted of 38 boxes alone) which spanned both his personal and professional life. It included letters, photographs, and lecture materials, amongst other documents. Sorting through these documents was a very meaningful experience, as it allowed me to view tangible pieces of Norb’s legacy while helping me to understand the profound effect he had on his students and the Honors College as a whole. I have heard a lot about Norb’s character from alumni but, being able to read these documents provided insight into his values and confirmed the many stories I had heard about his sense of humor, compassion, intellect, etc.
As an aspiring archivist, this experience was invaluable, as I was able to learn many skills. Some of these skills include, how to process and organize archival materials, the steps to creating a finding aid, how to handle fragile materials, and how to identify preservation concerns for different materials. Over the summer I felt myself becoming more confident and slowly becoming more aware that I was able to think critically about organizing the collection. I enjoyed my time in the archives so much that I decided I would like to continue it in the fall semester. This was partially inspired by the wonderful relationships I made with the staff, the valuable skills I was learning, and the strong connection I had developed with the collection.
I am excited to say that I will be transforming my work this summer into my capstone project. Over the course of the fall semester, I will continue to work on organizing the collection with the hopes of making Norb’s legacy more accessible to the public. This will allow more people to meaningfully connect with the past and open up a host of new research opportunities for others while also serving as the final project I need to graduate. I am honored to be a part of preserving Norb’s memory and preserving the knowledge contained within his collection.
Author: Ava DeVault, Norbert O. Schedler collection Intern, UCA Archives