Jasmine Jones
How did you become interested in librarianship?
I was a voracious reader as a child and was always at the public library. Since then, I've had an interest in libraries as spaces. However, it wasn't until undergrad and post-undergrad, when I worked in art galleries, that I started to see all of my interests (collections management, databases and metadata, preservation, and libraries) align and I identified archives as a field that I wanted to study and work.
Describe the first time you worked in a library.
I interned at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies Library at Harvard. It was my first experience processing personal papers, and I was so excited to apply all that I had been learning in my grad program.
I currently serve on the LAUC-LA Committee on Professional Governance.
What do you like best about being a UC librarian?
My colleagues are amazing. I'm constantly impressed and proud of the work that they are doing and how they approach service to users and management of the Library's collections. I've grown so much as an archivist and manager because of what I've learned from them and the work that we do.
Describe a recent or current project on which you are working.
Over the past year+, I've been working with colleagues across the UC libraries to revise the Guidelines for Efficient Archival Processing in the University of California Libraries. The guidelines, which were initially published in 2012, have had an incredible impact on practices with the UC Libraries, as well as archives and special collections across the field. Since the initial release, these guidelines have been heavily influential in the principles and processes that have been adopted at UCLA Library Special Collections (LSC) for processing archival materials. I’m excited that new draft revisions have begun to extend the Guidelines beyond processing and consider how collection management activities impact and are impacted by collection development, preservation, discovery, and access.
Describe your recent professional work outside of work, such as association work, writing, research, or anything else.
I am currently a member of the OCLC Collection Building and Operational Impacts Working Group, which is establishing a toolkit for advocating for and enacting responsible collecting and stewardship of special collections material. It has been incredibly interesting to learn about colleagues in the Working Group have been approaching and thinking about the (sometimes at odds) relationship between collection development and collection management. It is heartening to work together and have discussions about how we can build holistic and realistic processes for decision-making and stewardship across functions.
Complete this statement: "One surprising fact about me is...”
I was on a hip hop dance team in college.
Can you recommend a book or movie or tell us your favorite book or movie and why?
One of my favorite books is Ferdydurke by Witold Gombrowicz. The story (as is much of his writing) is so grotesque and weird, and every time I (re)read one of his works, I find something new and fascinating to capture my attention.