Smithsonian Libraries and Archives / Unbound

Mentorship Monday: Tina Muracco

June 23, 2014

This “Mentorship Monday” post was written by Tina Muracco, Director of Advancement, Smithsonian Libraries Office of Advancement & Public Affairs. The Smithsonian Institution Mentorship Program is an annual 9-month program dedicated to “developing leaders throughout the Institution” through professional development in the areas of networking, interpersonal skills, coaching, and institutional engagement.

Throughout my career, I have gained valuable experience and insight, both professionally and personally. I attribute most of my progression to the brilliant individuals I have worked with and have had the pleasure of calling mentors. A mentor can help build confidence, impart thoughtful advice, and inspire new career goals and perspectives. A great mentor will not only provide specific guidance on certain tasks and duties, but also provide general advice on honing life skills and forming a solid work ethic.

“Once There Were Billions: Vanished Birds of North America” Opens June 24! Join us!

Liz O'Brien

June 20, 2014

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Once an amazing diversity of birds-some in breathtaking abundance-inhabited the vast forests and plains of North America. But starting around 1600, some species began to disappear, as humans altered habitats, over-hunted, and introduced predators. A notable extinction occurred 100 years ago, with the death of Martha the Passenger Pigeon, the last member of a species that once filled America’s skies. The story of the last passenger pigeon, and the disappearance of the great auk, Carolina parakeet, and heath hen reveal the fragile connections between species and their environment. The Smithsonian Libraries unveils Once There Were Billions: Vanished Birds of North America at the National Museum of Natural History June 24. This exhibition is a joint production of Smithsonian Libraries, Biodiversity Heritage Library, and the National Museum of Natural History.

Conservation of World’s Fair Pop-Up Books

Katie Wagner

June 18, 2014

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World's Columbian Exposition Pop-Up Book — World’s Columbian Exposition Pop-Up Book Closed

A set of four pop up books from the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 were recently treated in the book conservation lab. The books are part of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Library World’s Fair materials. The World’s Columbian Exposition took place in Chicago in 1893 and these four books reveal four different views of the exposition. The four books were in good condition for pop-up books. The chromolithographic prints are still vibrant and the paper supports, while brittle, are still in good condition.

Mentorship Monday: Joel Richard

Liz O'Brien

June 16, 2014

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This “Mentorship Monday” post was written by Joel Richard, Lead Web Developer, Web Services and Digital Library. The Smithsonian Institution Mentorship Program is an annual 9-month program dedicated to “developing leaders throughout the Institution” through professional development in the areas of networking, interpersonal skills, coaching, and institutional engagement.

This past year, I participated in the Smithsonian’s Mentorship Program. I found it to be a rewarding experience and one that I would do again. I participated as a mentor and before I was even matched up with a mentee, I felt I’d already accomplished a lot.

Meet Cooper-Hewitt Library Intern Alana Jiwa

Elizabeth Broman

June 12, 2014

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Alana Jiwa, 2014 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Library Intern

Earlier this year, the Cooper-Hewitt Library was awarded a Smithsonian CCPF 2014 (Collections Care and Preservation Fund) grant to continue the conservation work we started based on a CCPF funded condition survey of our Special Collections in 2010.

This summer, Library intern Alana Jiwa is focusing on custom enclosures for our rare folio sized materials. She is measuring books, using a new custom made folio sized book measurer made by Don Stankavage in the SIL Book Conservation Lab. Stay tuned for progress reports from Alana…

Hand-Folded Ice Cream Boxes

Alexia MacClain

June 11, 2014

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Ice cream is a popular dessert. No doubt about that! It can be found everywhere, especially in the summer, whether at a 4th of July parade, the beach, or in your own backyard.

Some of our past posts have featured ice cream recipes. But what about other things related to ice cream? How about ice cream freezers or ice cream containers?

Mentorship Monday: In Memoriam, Rita O’Hara

Liz O'Brien

June 9, 2014

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Welcome to “Mentorship Monday”, where we will be featuring blog posts from our staff about their experiences with the Smithsonian Institution Mentorship program.This “Mentorship Monday” post was written by Bonnie Campbell Lilienfeld, Curator and Deputy Chair, Division of Home Life, National Museum of American History. Bonnie mentored Smithsonian Libraries’ technician, Rita O’Hara, who sadly passed away in December of 2013. The Smithsonian Institution Mentorship Program is an annual 9-month program dedicated to “developing leaders throughout the Institution” through professional development in the areas of networking, interpersonal skills, coaching, and institutional engagement.

I had the privilege of getting to know Rita O’Hara through the Smithsonian’s 2013 Mentoring Program. She was the first potential mentee I talked to, and we instantly hit it off. As part of the program, Rita and I met at least every couple of weeks, usually for lunch, to go over her goals for the program, and talk about work and life. I always looked forward to seeing her. She was one of the gentlest and most optimistic people I’ve ever met, and passionate about so many things.