As a young girl I never imagined I would grow up to become an archivist. Heck, I didn't even know there was such a thing. My plan was to become a rock n' roll photo-journalist. You know, the next Annie Liebovitz. (Ah, youth.)

Fast forward to 1994. I had a BA in History and Anthropology and a decent job at a great book store in Madison, Wisconsin. I was madly in love and all-around happy. Retail was starting to lose its appeal. I was ready for whatever was coming next, I just didn't have any idea what that was...

One day my coworker Allison announced that she was going to library school. Curious, I took a peek at the course catalog and discovered my calling: taking care of historical materials. It seemed so obvious, yet it had never occurred to me. There was no doubt in my mind. This was what I needed to do. And when I started the program I knew I had found my new family.

Since earning my Master's I have had the honor of working on collections at the Library of Congress, the Wisconsin Historical Society, Memorial Library Special Collections, American Girl, and the Chicago Chapter of the American Red Cross. I delight in helping family, friends, and clients take care of their family collections.

If you need help organizing, preserving, or sharing your family archives, you've come to the right place. Check out our selection of free information. Subscribe to our free monthy eZine. Enroll in one of our upcoming workshops. Or call to set up an appointment for one-on-one consulting. Your great-granddaughter will be glad you did.

Warmly,

Sally

P.S. My coworker Allison? She's now Collections Manager at the Andy Warhol Museum archives. Every once in a while, Mr. Warhol would sweep everything off his desk (or coffee table or kitchen counter) into an empty box. Then he would seal the box and give it a sequential number. My buddy Allison is in charge of cataloging every single item in the collection. Cool, no? Librarians rock!

Sally J. Jacobs
Archivist and Owner
Jacobs Archival Services

Phone: 608-332-1494
Email: sally@jacobsarchival.com
Web: http://www.jacobsarchival.com