Library Journal - Mover & Shaker 2009: Kristi Palmer

Kristi L. Palmer (MLS'03) has been selected as a 2009 Mover & Shaker by the Library Journal (see excerpt below). Palmer is a Metadata Librarian with the IUPUI Digital Archive (IDeA).

"Easy Access - Kristi Palmer loves touching original historic objects and documents. But she also believes that free, open, easy digital access to them reveals otherwise impossible research avenues to otherwise unreachable audiences... She makes history accessible for students by making it real to them. In 'Imaging Our Foremothers,' Palmer showed students that digital images and art were research resources. In 'Indiana in Maps: Now and Then,' she asked students to compare current Indianapolis maps with century-old Sanborne maps. She says students intent on figuring out what once existed where the Colts now play hardly notice they're picking up research skills."

In an email interview, Palmer gave tips for current SLIS students:

"Take a class or apply for a job that you might not initially consider 'up your alley.' I, like many, feel like I somewhat fell into my current position. I thought for sure that I would end up working in a traditional archive or special collections. And while, yes, I did work in an archive as a library science student, I ended up working on a very technology focused project - something I never saw myself doing. Ultimately I loved the combination of skills required to work with an archival digital history collection and it's what led me to my current position. I would never have gotten here if 1. I weren't working in such a flexible and forward thinking library such as IUPUI University Library and 2. I hadn't been open-minded about delving into new opportunities and tackling little charted information organization and access territory."

Posted April 07, 2009