"Strange New Worlds"

Hello, reader! Although it is still the middle of the week as I write this, the past couple of days have already proven to be both challenging and fruitful. On Friday of last week, I underwent a procedure that required preparation on Thursday and some recovery time thereafter. Despite this, I was able to attend the team meeting, metadata workshop, and transcription workshop without any complications. I am quite content that I was able to do so! Listening to Mr. Geoffrey Cravero, the RICHES Digital Archivist, was absolutely fascinating. I was most intrigued by the stark contrast between UCF’s digital data entry procedure and that of my previous experience at the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, where we mostly relied on PastPerfect. Though the process of entering data in Excel appeared intimidating, I reassured myself with the knowledge that I would have learned more about this engrossing set of methodologies using our meticulous resources alongside the guidance of my supervisors. Thankfully on Friday, there were no complications with my procedure. I was able to begin working on my assigned folder, which was discussed in the midst of our team meeting. 

The Judy Ustler Babb folder holds a host of sentimental memories within a stunning photographic collection. This folder serves as a record of one of Apopka’s oldest families, mostly in military uniform. I have taken it upon myself to supplement these individuals’ metadata sheets with as much public information as I can scour the internet for. Resources such as FamilySearch, Legacy.com, the Orlando Sentinel, and local Apopka references have been especially bounteous. For now, I have set my weekly goal of metadata sheet creation at 9 sheets per week, coupled with my various duties as a lead and my newfound involvement in the Gladden Collection project. 

Yesterday, I completed all three student evaluation interviews in one day. Having the ability to speak independently with my students has provided me with a better perspective on their personalized needs and wants during the unmapped course of this internship. In each meeting, I was astounded by how driven and enthusiastic my group was, even throughout their individual struggles. Their eyes would sparkle while recounting the extra research they were putting into their metadata sheets and special projects. I addressed a plethora of questions I felt fit to answer and brought the rest to both Sarah and Jessie in order to provide more accurate and customized guidance. 

Tomorrow, I am meeting Ms. Francina Boykin at the Museum of the Apopkans to review the Gladden Collection together. I plan to assess how large the collection is and what her wish is to temporarily house these objects until a permanent home for them is settled upon- perhaps with UCF’s prestigious Carol Mundy Collection, which Ms. Boykin seems to be well-acquainted with. While this project seems daunting, I hope that my work on it will extend past the course of this internship into what lies beyond. I’ll update you next week, reader!