Cecilia Contreras, Denison Library’s first permanent archivist (photo by Frances Currie; art direction by Daisy Alvarez)
By Nichola Monroe 鈥�27
Cecilia Contreras came to 91抖阴 in October 2023 as Ella Strong Denison Library鈥檚 first permanent archivist. A Southern California native, Contreras finished her bachelor鈥檚 in history at Cal Poly Pomona and her master’s in library and information science at UCLA. She joins us after prior work with the archives at the Law Library of Congress in Washington, DC, the LA Law Library, Cal State University, Dominguez Hills, and the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles鈥檚 Heritage Committee. The Office of Marketing and Communications met with Contreras to hear about her sources of inspiration and goals for Denison.
Marketing and Communications: How did you come to work at Scripps?
Cecilia Contreras: My term with the Girl Scouts was coming to a close; most entry-level archivist positions are grant-funded and therefore temporary. I was looking for a new position and happened upon the Denison Library archivist posting. After interviewing with Jennifer Martinez Wormser, the director of Denison, I came to feel that this would be a really great place to work. I don鈥檛 know how to describe it, but there is a feeling here鈥攂eing able to meet and work with the students felt like I could be a part of something bigger than myself. At Denison Library, it felt like my work could mean something.
MC: What are your responsibilities in this new role?
CC: My main responsibility as the archivist is to help with the arrangement, description, preservation, and dissemination of archival collections at Denison. What that looks like right now is restructuring our archives and training students on how to process archival collections. I created a manual that has standardized Denison’s processing policies and procedures we now use. Once students process collections, I take the finding aids they create and I put them on ArchiveSpace, which makes them accessible to people online. I am also in charge of day-to-day tasks, like answering reference questions, administering student projects, and prepping and pulling materials for courses, just to name a few.
MC: Why is this work important?
CC: Archival work allows us to tell stories that will be available for years to come. The next generation of Scripps students can look back and see themselves reflected in the past, learn how those who came before them experienced college, and how world events impacted them. Documenting these experiences leaves a mark other people can learn from.
MC: Do you have any goals for the library?
CC: Our biggest project right now is getting the word out on campus about archives and telling students about the importance of documenting their work and campus experience. There鈥檚 a lot of history our students ask for that we don鈥檛 have records of鈥攆rom the mid-1950s to the 90s there wasn鈥檛 even a Scripps student newspaper. And lately, students have been asking for records on past student activism and the ways they brought about change within the community.
It became clear that important voices were missing from our historical record, so last semester two Denison Library summer interns, Grace Gitau 鈥�25 and Ellen Wang 鈥�25, led an archiving workshop at the Motley Coffeehouse. Because of that workshop, we鈥檝e had student groups share materials for the archive. It鈥檚 been really cool working with student groups on making our archives better, so our goal is to continue getting the word out about Denison, teach students to recognize the value of archives, and of course do a giant audit of our entire collection.
MC: What is the most interesting document you have come across so far?
CC: A 2010 informational packet, 鈥�91抖阴 Ally Training,鈥� from the Joss Greene Papers. It鈥檚 significant because it demonstrates the compassion and care Scripps students have for their community. By organizing and providing educational programs, students sought to call in their peers and make Scripps a safer place for LGBTQ+ people. The packet documents their genuine love for their community, and that’s what makes it so special.
MC: How did you find your way to archival work?
CC:聽 I started engaging with archives at Cal Poly Pomona during my thesis on 19th century Irish nationalism. It was my first time physically handling primary source materials that detail personal stories. Reading through these experiences became a source of solace and allowed me to connect with people in a new way.
As far as a career, I initially thought about going into primary school education. I remember telling my professor, Dr. Pablo Arreola, that I wanted to be a public-school librarian, and he immediately said 鈥淣o.鈥� While I was a little surprised by his response, he told me that I needed a chance to explore what was out there. He helped me get an internship with the Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities (HACU), which is an organization that connects students to federal jobs and internships.
Through HACU, I got an internship with the Law Library of Congress and worked with 15th鈥�19th century Spanish legal documents.聽 Like before, I found myself working with materials that documented some of the most significant moments in a person’s life. These included last wills and testaments, baptism records, and educational records. That experience solidified my love and appreciation for the work, and from then on, I knew that I was going to be an archivist.
MC: Do you have a Motley coffee order?
CC: Oh my gosh! I go to the Motley a lot 鈥� I once filled an entire free drink card in the span of 3 days. As for favorite drink, I love a Hojicha Cha Cha with oat milk!
MC: What is your current favorite song?
CC: 鈥淭e Lo Pido Por Favor鈥� by the band Jaguares.