Returning for its twentieth year, New Voices in the Profession provides professionals who are new to art librarianship or visual resources work the opportunity to present topics from exceptional coursework, such as a master's thesis, or topics with which they are engaged early in their professional life. New professionals are defined as either students in MLIS or Master's programs leading to a career in art librarianship or visual resources, or those within five years of Master's level study. For many, this is their first professional speaking engagement.
This panel began at the ARLIS/NA 2006 Annual Conference in Banff and has since received wide attention and praise. Topics presented reveal new ideas as well as different ways of thinking about established concepts. Speakers give the conference attendees a glimpse of academic interests and current discourses of the newest ARLIS/NA members.
The New Voices session is organized by the Professional Development Committee, ArLiSNAP, and the Student Advancement Awards Subcommittee.
Dusting Off the Artist Files: Early Career Collaborations in Art Librarianship, Cataloguing and Archives
Speaker: Kate Nugent
From 1969 to 2014, the librarians at the Bibliothèque des arts de l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) collected ephemera that documented the activities of Canadian artists, galleries and exhibitions in the form of artist files. Until recently, these files—which predominantly relate to Québécois artists and local Montreal galleries—were not discoverable in the library catalogue, and were thus rarely consulted by students. To evaluate the significance of the artist files and the feasibility of integrating them into the library catalogue, a student was recruited as part of an internship in an MLIS program. Following her recommendations, the cataloguing team at UQAM decided to prioritise the artist files and began processing the collection to make it discoverable and accessible to students.
This presentation will outline my experience as an early-career cataloguing librarian processing artist files, an experience that builds on my previous archival work and my background in art history. I will discuss the challenges of the project, how I combined cataloguing and archival standards, and the experience of working with a student as an early professional. This presentation ultimately advocates for collaboration in these projects—between departments, between students and librarians—and encourages new professionals to take on these projects as a way to learn and grow.
Mexican Bracero Railroaders in the United States During World War II: An Endangered History
Speaker: Emily Mizokami, Gerd Muehsam Award 2026
More than 136,000 Mexican citizens came to the United States during World War II to work the most grueling railroad jobs through a contractual agreement between the U.S. and Mexican governments. At the war's end, they were all immediately and unceremoniously sent back to Mexico. And yet, few have heard their stories. The railroaders were part of the larger bracero program which primarily employed farm workers. The railroad arm of the program lasted only two and half years, while the agricultural branch went on for 22 years. The short duration of the program, combined with the difficulty of accessing archival records documenting living and working conditions, explains the lack of a robust selection of comprehensive literature and public awareness about World War II bracero railroaders. If the bracero program is featured in scholarly journals, it is rare for the railroad braceros to be provided more than a passing mention. If one walks through the exhibit spaces in North America's premiere railroad museums, one will not see these men represented in photographs, documents, or railroad art. To raise awareness and encourage further research, this presentation provides a brief history of the railroad bracero program, a review of existing literature on the understudied topic, and thoughts as to why we still know so little about these men and their contributions.
The Role of Fellowships in Early Career Development
Speaker: De’Ivyion “Ivy” Drew
What is the role of library fellowships in early-career development? This presentation will cover the fellowship experiences of the UNC Chapel Hill Primary Source Teaching Fellowship and the Yale Kress Fellowship in Art Librarianship. MLIS students gain expertise of daily library activities through work practicums in settings that interest them; however, these practicums lack the ability to expose students to a wide variety of librarianship paths, often limited to the setting/context of the hosting institution. Both fellowships feature self-directed project deliverables and collaborative structures designed to address the gap MLIS students experience navigating the paths of librarianship.
The Primary Sources Teaching Fellowship is funded by a three-year (2022 to 2025) grant from the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program and has library alumni that have made significant contributions to public institutions, private institutions, and cultural heritage institutions. In comparison, for almost 30 years, the Kress Foundation, Yale University Libraries, and the Yale Center for British Art together have supported a fellowship for new library school graduates to engage in an immersive one-year experience in art librarianship. Kress Fellows who are selected and complete a capstone project continue their library career on an impressive trajectory, eventually becoming University Librarians, Directors of Fine Art and Architecture Libraries, and other major leadership positions.
Fellowship experience develops library confidence, expands library connections through networking, and can clarify which library roles align best, therefore significantly impacting an early-career librarian for their entire path in librarianship.
Breaking into Cataloging: Learning, Adapting, and Succeeding
Speaker: Madeline (Maddie) Hayko (she/her)
Cataloging, a field that many young professionals are interested in, yet most receive little to no training before being thrown headfirst into a professional cataloging position. Once in a new position, where does one turn for resources, support, and how does one gain confidence in cataloging? In my presentation “Breaking into Cataloging: Learning, Adapting, and Succeeding” I discuss my background in cataloging before accepting a full-time position, reflect on my first year as a cataloger, and what I learned to be initially successful. I will share resources and connections that help me gain confidence in my cataloging abilities and how I adapt while learning the standards of the trade. Lastly, I convey how a new professional can feel successful in cataloging even with little to no prior experience or guidance. This presentation is for those interested in cataloging, new catalogers, and for professionals experiencing imposter syndrome in a very technical field.
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