My journey began when I discovered my particular interest in the independent investigation of truth. I like to understand the context of history, why people do what they do. When I first worked with a body of archival material, history came alive in a way that was not interpreted for me. I saw the connection between documents and learned about the person who created the archival fonds. While engaged in my studies, I later realized this was because archives are the residue of action. The records’ creator and the creator’s activities are their context of creation. The archival principles of provenance and original order help preserve the authenticity of the records. The records are reliable because the creator relied on them.  Archives have a distinctive role in understanding our history, as do oral histories and publications that are the fruit of much study and thought.

My first exposure to archival work was as an assistant in the Archives Office at the Bahá’í World Centre. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Calgary, I enrolled in the Master of Archival Studies from the University of British Columbia. I completed projects for the Anglican Archives in Vancouver and the Glenbow Archives in Calgary and served two summers with the Temple Conservation Team in Wilmette. After graduation, I was hired as the archivist for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada. After four years, I returned to the World Centre to work with two other senior archivists, with much of my focus on records management. I returned to Canada to marry a farmer with whom I am raising two daughters. We no longer have the farm, but I have continued to serve the National Spiritual Assembly from a distance. I have served two terms on a provincial archival association and acted as an archives consultant for a small local museum for several years. My learning has expanded recently to serve on an Assembly in a moderately sized community.

The opportunities and challenges of this work continue, for example, learning about the ever-evolving world of electronic records, working with researchers on how to effectively manage staff and volunteers, and assisting Local Assemblies and Regional Bahá’í Councils in developing capacity in archival work. Archivists and librarians learn from and support each other, as I have found through the loosely knit network of professional and non-professional Bahá’í librarians and archivists worldwide. I would love to see collaboration increase and encourage more people to become professionals. I feel that through developing human resources and increased collaboration, we will be better equipped to embrace opportunities and face the challenges to help the Bahá’í community worldwide learn how to preserve its memory.