Student Spotlight: Olivia Coyne, Digital Program Digitization Assistant

The Special Collections Research Center blog series "Student Spotlight" features student employees who contribute to the work of the SCRC. Guest author Olivia Coyne is a graduate student in the School of Information and Library Science at UNC Chapel Hill. Olivia has been working as a Digital Program Digitization Graduate Assistant since January 2024.

Please describe in a sentence or two the work that you do in the Special Collections Research Center.

I digitize and add metadata to a variety of mediums, primarily books and photo negatives. 

What has been most interesting to you about your work?  What new things have you learned? Have you made any surprising discoveries?

I love seeing how the past and the present aren’t so different. From documents, to photographs, there's still so much humanity. While the scope varies, one example I can think of includes some negatives I've scanned include dogs, which I totally love. If there’s a dog, I’m taking a cute photo too! 

If you met someone who was unfamiliar with archives and special collections, what would you want them to know? What should new researchers know about the work you do?

Using the archives and special collections is a very unique and individualized process. What you might be looking for, while on the same topic, is most likely completely different than what your colleagues are! It’s important to talk with the archivist/head librarian and discuss your research because there may be more overlap and connections and networks the librarian may be able to help facilitate. Digitizing also takes time, as the process while straight forwards has a few hurdles. Mostly physically, since the items that need to be digitized often need to be transported here. More time the better!

What are you studying, and what do you hope to do in your future career?  Has your work in the SCRC changed how you look at your studies or your future career plans in any way?

I am studying for a Masters of Library and Information Sciences, and my hope is to become an archivist. I wish to create/be in a position some day where I can really work as a facilitator between multiple cultural and artistic communities. SCRC has been a great experience to understand digitization behind the scenes! 

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your work with the SCRC?

Just happy to be here working with everyone!