Jones named university archives and special collections librarian
Victoria “Vic” Jones was recently named archives and special collections librarian for the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections inside Fant Memorial Library at Mississippi University for Women.
“We are so incredibly fortunate to have Vic Jones on board in this exciting new era for our archives and special collections. Her expertise and leadership are critical for the library as we are becoming the center for the study of Mississippi women’s history and leadership, sharing our collections with the world in through our new Institutional Repository, Mims Digitization and Conservation Lab and the database we are building of Mississippi Women’s Archives,” said Amanda Powers, dean of library services.
As an archivist Jones will identify, preserve, collect, maintain and share items that reflect the university’s history, mission and values.
“Archives play a role in shaping the memory of an institution based on the records that are left behind. I am most excited to be working with students, staff, faculty, alumni and the community in the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collection,” said Jones.
While documents and digital objects are collected inside the Fant Memorial Library, people are the center of their work said Jones.
Her goals are to progress the archive by creating partnerships with faculty, building relationships with alumni and involving students in innovative learning experiences.
Jones said,” I am looking forward to launching our globally-accessible digital institutional repository, Athena Commons, this fall with online access to the university’s theses, the undergraduate journal Merge, archive of digital images, W conferences and more.”
The archive will continue to digitize and share the core collections using the newly opened state-of-the-art Martha Jo Mims Digitization and Conservation Lab. Additionally, the archive will be launching an original database cataloging archival collections of Mississippi women’s history and leadership from libraries across the state.
“I began working at The W last year as a graduate student, I have really come to feel at home in this community. I have loved getting to know the students, staff and faculty at The W and MSMS, and I am looking forward to continuing those relationships in this role,” said Jones.
Jones joined The W in 2019 as a library associate. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and master’s degree from the University of North Florida.