Publication Date

3-24-2016

Comments

An abstract of this interview is available below. A time-annotated index and transcription are linked above and to the right. An essay summarizing themes that emerged from interviews conducted about Myers in 2016 is available: Portrait of a Collector: Reflections on an Influential Bibliophile.

This interview subject is affiliated with IWU and/or President Myers in the following ways: University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, 2000-2005.

Abstract

Voss discusses the origin/creation of the archives in the new library, her early teaching experiences in Illinois and being identified as person to take over at a time when plans to host the Remington Trust exhibit of rare books were under way. Myers gave presentations on those books, encouraging their use by students and faculty. She recalls Myers saying there would be an "archives pedestal" on top of the new library and that he was a "love everything, celebrate everything" kind of person who was rarely idle. Voss recounts Myers' visits to her office and that he did not interfere with her work. Voss does not recall Myers wanting Special Collections to have a specific focus but she also recalls the areas she tried to emphasize: the John Wesley Powell Pottery Collection, working on the campus photograph workflows, and responding to the water disaster in the new building. She describes going through the manuscript material at the president's house and book selection decisions for retention and the auction. Voss concludes with reflections on the purpose of a presidency and Myers' place within that range of work.

Streaming Media

Duration

01:41:20

Keywords

book exhibit, personal characteristics, collecting, artifact, intellectual curiosity, books, presidential papers, auction, collection development, Renaissance Man, leadership, management, Portrait of a Collector, Faculty

Disciplines

United States History

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