The Brawn Behind the Braun
The most satisfying—and sometimes most challenging—part of my job is managing the Braun Research Library collections. But one of the best parts of my job is working with those who have helped me take on this task with success and momentum: the Braun Volunteers.
Since 1907, the Braun has been acquiring rare and unique materials that support the research of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian Collection; Native American people and cultures; Arizona and California histories; and the disciplines of anthropology, ethnography, and archeology.
The sum of the Braun’s 105+ years of collecting equals 50,000 volumes of books, 2,000 journal titles, 1,200 linear feet of manuscript materials, 150,000 photographs, 5,000 works of art on paper, 2,000 sound recordings, 6,200 pieces of ephemera, and 2,500 maps—give or take a few.
Much of the day-to-day operations involved in working with such a vast and rich collection are accomplished by dedicated volunteers. In any given week, 10 to 12 volunteers will donate a total of 45 to 60 hours of their time.
Volunteer projects include a range of activities. However, all of the projects work toward the same goal: to provide better preservation and access to the collections. Anyone who has worked in an archive or library knows that reaching this goal can be a long and tedious road. However, given the right set of volunteers, the journey can be loads of fun! In recognition of and gratitude for their work, I am sharing this glimpse of our amazing Braun Volunteers.
Click on any image to start the slideshow.
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- Peter Huntsmantrout, Braun volunteer since 2005, longtime Southwest Museum docent and current Autry docent. Peter Huntsmantrout, Braun volunteer since 2005, longtime Southwest Museum docent and current Autry docent. As a retired teacher, Peter is always teaching me something new. She has helped check inventories for the Braun’s photo, ephemera and book collections.
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- Dennis Harbach, longtime Autry volunteer with Collections Management and the Braun Library. Currently Dennis is creating an index for one of the Braun’s most prized possessions, the Lummis Housebook. This project also serves as fodder for his blog posts “Harbach and the Housebook”.
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- Maritxu de Alaiza, Braun volunteer since 2011. But she has been connected with the Southwest Museum for much longer. She is the great granddaughter of Mark R. Harrington, SWM Curator from 1930-1964. Maritxu started volunteering while enrolled in the library grad program at San Jose State University. She has helped translate historic Spanish documents and provide background research for the archival collections.
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- Harriet Newton, retired LAPL librarian and Braun volunteer since 2009 and Autry docent since 2002. Her professional understanding of the Dewey Decimal System and Library of Congress Subject Headings are always put to great use!
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- Lee Lipinski, Braun volunteer since 2008. Lee will create a detailed inventory or list for any collection you give her to work on. She also helps with the preservation of the archives and books.
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- Kit McKormick, a Braun Volunteer since 2005, longtime Southwest Museum docent and current Autry docent. Neat penmanship and organizational skills – very useful for labeling folders in our archival collections and sorting out our office supply cabinet (always a HUGE help).
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- Kathryn McGuire, Braun volunteer from 2010-2012. We only had her for a short bit before the library grad studies program at UCLA took up most of her time. Crossing my fingers she will return some day. She helped where ever help was needed with a smile, a pencil, and great accuracy.
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- Keith Rice, a professional sound engineer turned historian who started in June 2011 as an Autry intern. He was the technician behind the Autry’s Western Oral History Project and is now helping digitize sound recordings at the Braun.
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- The Braun Research Library Reading Room, a regular bustle of activity on a Monday morning.
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- Martha Jo Morehouse, “top dog” Braun volunteer. Working with the photographs has been her preoccupation for the past 22+ years. Way to go Martha Jo!
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- Del Stanley, started off as a SWM docent and became a Braun Volunteer, circa 1995 (that’s right- 17 years!). Most punctual volunteer we have. Arrives 10am sharp every Wednesday working steadily with the 2000+ journal titles.
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- Michelle Bourdin, Braun volunteer since 2011. Here she is organizing those crazy in-triplicate check-out slips. She also has helped rehouse the Braun’s ephemera and archival collections into archival folders.
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- Not imaged, Daniel Kovell, newest Braun volunteer. As a history grad from CSU Long Beach, Daniel was put to the task of conducting background research. His current project relates to the LA Aqueduct, which will have its centennial celebration in 2013. Image: “Lantern slide of a portion of the aqueduct from Owens Valley to Los Angeles, California, early to mid-1900s.” Braun Research Library Collection, Autry National Center; LS.2618
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- Not imaged Victoria Lucero, Braun volunteer since 2011. Victoria is enrolled in the San Jose State University library grad program and she has helped inventory the TA Willard collection. Image: “T.A. Willard at the Cemeterio of Uxmal”, undated. Braun Research Library Collection, Autry National Center; P.29776.
One more thank you goes out to Carmel France for taking such great photos of the volunteers!
Author, Liza Posas, is the Head Librarian for the Braun Research Library and Autry National Center Archivist.
Yes! Lovely tribute to our lovely volunteers!
Very nice! and impressive!
Wow, the volunteers certainly are the Braun’s Brawn! Thanks for introducing them to the world!
Liza,
What a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers who mustt seem more like friends and family. I am so pleased to see a photo to help me identfy your volunteers. Thank you!
Susan DiCato
Thanks for the nice words. They are really appreciated.