The University of Alberta Archives is proud to join a global movement for accessibility by being represented linked on the International Council on Archives’ #ArchivesAreAccessible Map. This demonstrates our dedication to ensuring archives are open, inclusive, and available to all.
In honour of International Archives Week June 9-13, 2025, we invited Amy Kamel to share her reflections of her work at the University of Alberta Archives as a Student Assistant.
A daydreamer by nature, I have spent my life fascinated by any topic or task that would sit still long enough for me to examine it. During my grade school years I was an aspiring librarian, actor, diplomat, teacher, and biologist in turn, among many others I’ve forgotten. Arriving at my third decade had me reimagining these childhood interests, and enrolling in a Master of Library and Information Studies degree at the University of Alberta. I had decided that if I could not be an expert in everything, I would support experts in as many fields as possible.
While completing my degree, I have had the good luck of holding a student position at the University of Alberta Archives. This has allowed me to learn a range of skills I would not otherwise have been exposed to. What I did not anticipate is the depth of exposure I would have to fields unrelated to my own. For example, the first materials I learned to process with was a large collection of botanical maps of Alberta and their accompanying notes. It was an effective process to learn through and also gifted me with a unique look into the work of an experienced botanist. My eighth grade self was thrilled.
One of the most enjoyable accessions I have processed thus far is the textual records of prominent Edmonton actor and director Tom Peacocke. The University of Alberta Archives received Tom’s collection of scripts and notes after his passing in November of 2022. Since it was no longer my first inventory, I was more able to enjoy the process of exploring the materials in my care. The scripts we received covered his whole career, and as I inventoried his many projects I could see the ways his style and strategies evolved over the years as well as the consistency in his work ethic. It is an honour to see so much of a person’s legacy beautifully bound and carefully stored in front of you.
While I was processing Tom’s scripts I met a researcher who was in the middle of reviewing materials related to the Edmonton theatre community, which was directly associated with the accession on my desk. In my limited experience at the Archive, this does not seem to be a singular occurrence. Over the past year I have met researchers accessing our records for topics from historical pandemics to food sources to personal genealogies. Each accession I encounter in my work is valuable in its own right, but this diversity of subjects I see from our researchers gives me context beyond the preservation of our shared history.
Growing familiar with archival practice has been fascinating and gratifying. Something about the careful indexing and housing of valuable records has deepened my sense of connection to the rich, layered community in Alberta and Canada-wide. The skills themselves have been a gift. Even more so has the experience been a validation that our cultural and institutional memories are precious, and that I have found my place in connecting people from any practice with the information they need. Perhaps my inner child may finally be satisfied.
This week we are celebrating the achievements of our graduating student library staff, including Amy. Read more about our graduating student library staff here: Convocation Spotlight: Celebrating our Student Library Staff
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