WKCTC Invites Public to Meet Archivist November 7

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PADUCAH, KY (10/26/2018) Collecting, organizing, and providing access to documents, memorabilia, and artifacts is vital to preserving the rich history of families, communities, and educational institutions. Archivists assess whether a piece of information - which can include photographs, audio or video recordings, letters, programs, or other documents - have historic value, then maintain and store the information in an appropriate and accessible manner.

The public is invited to meet West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Leigh Ann Paxton, campus archivist, November 7 at 11 a.m. in Matheson Library as she introduces the College Archives and Special Collections. During the meet and greet, Paxton will detail her progress at the college to date, show unique items, discuss policy and procedure for submitting items, as well as future plans for the College Archives and Special Collections.

Paxton was hired at WKCTC in January 2018 to assess and rescue the college's historical documents and memorabilia. Besides conducting a thorough assessment and relocating items from the basement of Carson Hall to Matheson Library, Paxton has already provided access to items for many individuals this semester.

She earned a Master of Arts in public history with an emphasis in archival administration from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Northern Kentucky University with an emphasis on women's studies and art history.

"We are thrilled to have a professional archivist on campus, and the library is the ideal place for this project," said Amy Sullivan, WKCTD director of library services at Matheson Library. "We encourage not only current students, faculty, and staff of the college to come and meet Leigh Ann, but particularly alumni and community members, who can help us with ways to document and grow the archival collection. We are a college steeped in history, and the archival project will help connect people with our past, reconnect our alumni, engage the community and our region, and facilitate partnerships."

For more information, contact Amy Sullivan at amy.sullivan@kctcs.edu or 270-534-3171.