Fiona Rae Brown served as the 2022 Core/OCLC Spectrum Scholar. Brown is currently in the process of receiving a degree in Library and Information Science with a certificate in archives from the Pratt Institute. As a librarian and archivist, she is interested in Black and Indigenous history, as well as music and film. Brown’s research includes libraries and archives relationship to colonialism and crisis, the archives of marginalized people, and digital preservation. The following is a recent interview with Brown about her experience as the recipient of the 2022 Core/OCLC Spectrum Scholarship in Library and Information Technology.
What is your current professional role?
I recently was accepted for a position as a page at the Schomburg Center‘s Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Books department. I am also assisting the family of the jazz arranger Gil Evans with their archive.
What inspired you to pursue a career as a librarian?
Libraries have always been one of my favorite places to be. In undergrad, my experiences doing research at UC Berkeley’s special collections as well as Temple University’s Afro-American collection inspired me to become a librarian. I remember the positive interactions I had with the librarians there made me feel like I could do something similar for a career.
What has been inspiring you lately in your field?
I really appreciate all the library workers that are fighting against censorship and bigotry. I also am very inspired by prison library workers. I would love to see more programs like the New York Public Library’s Jail and Prison Services.
How did you find out about the Spectrum Scholarship and why did you decide to apply?
I found out about the Spectrum Scholarship through a friend of mine that was a Spectrum Scholar, and she encouraged me to apply.
Where do you go for continuing education and/or professional development opportunities?
I volunteer at XFR, a collective of archivists that digitize at-risk analog media. Through volunteering with them, I have been trained in digitizing, and I also met a lot of great people who shared their professional experiences with me, which has given me insight into the field.
Do you have any advice on job applications and interviews based on the interview panels you’ve been a part of?
I definitely suffer from imposter syndrome, which I know is common for many women, especially women of color. Before an interview, I’ll take time to write down everything that I’ve done that’s related and really study it, so that I don’t forget anything in the interview. Since I’m still in school, I also make sure to run my cover letter and resume by my school’s career center.
What are some goals you’ve set for yourself in preparing to enter the library profession?
It’s been a goal of mine to work at the Schomburg for a long time, so I feel like I just accomplished my main goal. As much as I’ve learned in school, nothing compares to actual work experience. I look forward to being able to learn more about the field at an institution I have deep admiration and respect for.
Do you have any recommendations for a new Spectrum Scholar on how to get the most out of the experience?
My biggest advice is to connect with people that are a part of the program. The Spectrum community is so great. It’s filled with people that are doing impactful work. It’s an honor to be able to learn with and from them.
The Spectrum program funds scholarships through its endowment and the contributions of individuals and organizations whose donations support named scholarships in the Spectrum Family of Funds. Since 1997, ALA has awarded more than 1,300 Spectrum Scholarships. In conjunction with sponsor OCLC, ALA’s Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures awarded its 2022 Spectrum Scholarship to a student with a demonstrated interest in library technology. Thank you to OCLC for co-sponsoring this Spectrum Scholarship.
