As Archives Senior Manager at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) Archive, I’ve seen the enhancements that tasks from reference and research have on every aspect of archives, from writing finding aids, labeling boxes, and deciding processing levels. It is one of the most fundamental aspects of a proven functional archive that puts the organization to the test. To put the work of reference and research at the heart of our archive, I have enforced workflows that link this activity to the resource record in our ArchivesSpace instance.
I knew the topic of reference was missing from public discussion as an attendee of most small and large conferences. I was happy to co-present on this topic with LCPA’s Reference Archivist and tie this to the importance of staff stability and public trust.
ArchivesSpace Member Forum Presentation
Presented on March 27, 2025
The LCPA archive team has implemented workflows to build institutional knowledge into the collection catalog and system. Our goal is to enhance material use and support the transmission of knowledge from one generation of archivists to another using ArchivesSpace’s features for managing controlled values and creating events in parallel with a project management and document storage system. Reference Archivist Amelia Bathke and Archives Senior Manager Leah Constantine co-present the workflow following reference and research requests and explain how ArchivesSpace event creation maximizes access to archival collections.
Anyone who has talked with me long enough knows my love of public radio and ritualistic listening to the Brian Lehrer Show. I love Brian’s bright optimism, necessary skepticism, and willingness to learn new things. It’s a balance that brings me joy and inspires my curiosity. In the middle of any conversation, I might contribute with a quick, “I was listening to The Brian Lehrer show and…”
A segment on March 3 with Jessica Gould discussed a topic that I have always been practicing in my personal, professional, and academic life: problem-solving. The episode is called “A New Way to Teach Math.” While this segment was about the debate of a new math curriculum, I couldn’t help but realize this topic is applicable to any area of life.
“This way of doing math, according to the curriculum developer who I spoke to, they want kids to work out problems, struggle with it a little bit, a productive struggle.”
Jessica Gould on “Illustrative Math”
As a child, I struggled to overcome challenges and roadblocks. I didn’t learn the common sense skills to move through intellectual obstacles and solve personal problems with productive practices. It wasn’t until my college days and becoming a dog mom that I learned the value of supporting myself through problem-solving. It’s a skill I value and always look forward to practicing.
As a (new) instructor and a staff supervisor to new and mid-career archivists, the skill of practicing the “productive struggle” is equal to the information they take with them. I always invite them to tell me when they are facing a struggle: a problem has occurred, part of the puzzle is missing, something went wrong, or there is more than one option moving forward. I want to be invited because I want them to become comfortable with first recognizing the problem and not being scared that it has occurred. The first step to problem-solving is identifying that the problem exists.
“emphasis on discovery at the beginning”
Next, we practice analyzing the problem: what is introduced, what can be reduced, what is the risk, and where did it start. From this information, we learn how to avoid redundant problems.
Finally, we create a path forward. We want the final result to include the problem-solving aspect because it justifies our decision-making process and proves that the other wrong answers have made this the right answer.
In math, the correct answer is supported by knowing all of the incorrect answers. The same goes for all other life skills. The more problems we encounter, the closer we are to reaching a solution. So, if you ever find yourself amid a struggle, practice the key concepts of problem-solving:
Recognition
Recognize the problem exists
Understand when the problem started
Document what factors created the problem
Collaboration
Who can bring the skills necessary for the problem
Who can contribute other perspectives
Application
Apply the skills for the solution
Apply all the necessary tools
Solution
Document the results
Attribute your collaborators
I hope eventually everyone who wants to become an expert problem solver finds themself as excited to practice this as I am. Maybe it begins with listening to Brian Lehrer?
WNYC. “A New Way to Teach Math | The Brian Lehrer Show.” Accessed April 13, 2025. https://www.wnyc.org/story/a-new-way-to-teach-math/.
Even deeper than navigating problems is navigating rejection. If you want to take problem solving to the next level, I recommend regularly practicing rejection.
WNYC. “What You Learned From Being Rejected | The Brian Lehrer Show.” Accessed April 13, 2025. https://www.wnyc.org/story/what-you-learned-from-being-rejected/.
I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of the same thing. I’m talking about document resumes. As an archivist, I spend most of my day exploring the complexities of a spreadsheet. Functions, data validation, text-to-columns, drop-down lists, and number formats make everything look better. If you are my intern at any point in your career, you will hear me say that the one thing no one will teach you, but is essential in any information science field, is proficiency in spreadsheets. You will bulk import and export data in spreadsheets. You will track changes to your data in spreadsheets. You will use OpenRefine to transform data. Data is translated better in organized sheets and tables, which is what makes them so essential. So why not make my data accessible in a spreadsheet?
Live data is easier to update Easier control of formats Sorting values for essential skills looks better for resumes Notes hide and expand supplemental information that crowds a doc I want to prove my love of spreadsheets!
This is not to say that this is the most beautiful resume spreadsheet that exists online. This is my first attempt at something new. I’m always looking for resources and webinars to fuel this monomania. Keep watch of this space for newer, better, and more beautiful resumes.
Want to learn how to make your resume from a sheet? leaheconstantine at gmail dot com.
I was asked one of my favorite questions by a student recently: what is metadata? The joy I had in explaining is why I love my role in teaching.
Of course, there are two ways of explaining metadata: the hard way and the “not so” hard way. I wanted to attempt the not so hard way with graphics and resources that can follow them through the many stages of being the one who asks “what is metadata” to being the one who provides the answer.
All resources are free and available to the public. As always, please provide credit when used.
I’m obsessed with noodles. I can eat anything over noodles. Serve me noodles, I will be happy. Here is a recipe for my favorite cold noodles inspired by spring rolls!
Cold rice noodles with vegetables topped with Tofurkey Plant Based Thai Basil Chick’n
Finely shred vegetables with a mandolin or vegetable shaver (recommended for carrots for long, noodle-y strips)
1/3 cup shredded carrot
1/3 cup shredded red bell pepper
1/3 cup finely sliced cucumber
1/2 cup shredded red and green cabbage
2 finely sliced jalapenos
3 chopped scallions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro and mint Add all of these vegetables into a large bowl and keep cold until noodles are ready for mixing
3 minced garlic cloves
1/3 cup lime juice
1/3 cup fish sauce
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar Mix the sauce and set aside
Boil a large pot of water. Once boiling, grab a large handful of rice noodles (whatever are your favorite!) and add to the boiling water. Mix, and immediately turn off the heat while keeping the pot on the burner. Keep mixing the noodles (I like to use tongs to help separate) for about 6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the noodles. Remove the pot, pour the noodles into a strainer, and rinse the noodles in cold water to stop the cooking process. Add the noodles to the bowl of cold vegetables. Pour the sauce over the mixture. Add salt! Mix aggressively using tongs to get all of the noodles and veggies integrated into the sauce. Top with anything you desire and enjoy!
Not much beats having a nice treat after a long hot day. After a big bowl of cold noodles, I made myself a red plum upside-down cake with cold vanilla ice cream. Take care of yourselves and eat well.
