Karen Langely Interview

What does your position in the archives entail?

As a Manager of Institutional Records, I am responsible for overseeing the Records Information Project (RIM) program at the University and supporting the educational, research and decision-making processes of the University through the development  of policies, procedures and standards to the creation, preservation and disposition of all types of recorded information at the University. Also, as a University Archivist I am responsible for overseeing the Archives Program at AU, and acquiring, preserving and making available the records of the University and private donations to researchers. 

What is the most important part of your job?

Well, for Records and Information Management it would be making sure that the University complies with legislative requirements for keeping records. In the Archives, it is really important that we are preserving the University's history. 

What is a typical day like at work?

I help researchers, answer their questions and provide copies of records for them, process records (put them in archival folders and boxes), and answer staff questions about managing current records.

How did you end up here (this occupation)?

When I went back to University at age 25, I thought about working to get a Master of Archival Studies (MAS) degree, but six years seemed too long to go to school, so I decided to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) instead with an undergraduate degree.  After doing my teaching practicum, I realized that in order to be a good teacher you must give a lot of yourself, emotionally and supportively, to your students for them to succeed.  As an introvert, I knew that I wouldn't be able to sustain that over a long period of time, so I decided to go back to school for two more years to get the MAS degree, and I have never regretted it.  Working on my own to organize, classify and describe records is much more suited to my personality.

What’s your favorite song or artist right now?

Now and always, Duran Duran – 80s rock!

Here she is at a rock show in the 80s!

Who is your hero?

She is not my hero, but I would love to have dinner with Hypatia, a philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician, who lived in Alexandria, Egypt.