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 Rachel Onuf
Rachel Onuf started working for the Archivists’ Toolkit at the end of 2007. As an archives analyst for phase two of the Mellon-funded project, she helps establish functional requirements, draft software specifications, and test the application as new modules are developed. In the past year Rachel started working as a consultant for the Northeast Document Conservation Center, conducting preservation planning workshops and surveys for public libraries, academic libraries, and historical manuscript repositories throughout the northeast. This work complements the Preservation Management course she teaches for “GLSIS West,” the Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science campus based at Mt. Holyoke College.
Rachel’s interest in archives started while she was a student at Swarthmore College, where she worked at the Friends Historical Library all four years, and then on a part-time basis after graduation. While earning an MILS at the University of Michigan, she worked at the Bentley Historical Library and the William L. Clements Library. Wanting a more solid grounding in American History in order to better contextualize the historical manuscripts she loved, Rachel then earned an MA from the University of Virginia, with a focus on the 19th century south.
Rachel found The Historical Society of Pennsylvania the most compelling workplace for its irresistible combination of superlative collections and obvious need. Rachel started there on a Mellon-funded project, surveying the entire holdings of the Society, and was Director of Archives when she left. She developed and managed several successful grant-funded projects during her tenure.
Since moving to Massachusetts in 2004, Rachel has worked as an archival consultant and explored an interest in all things agricultural. A year-long apprenticeship at an organic farm introduced her to Jersey cows, glorious vegetables, and working with draft horses, and she is thrilled to still be around all three. At the Northfield Mount Hermon School Farm, she works with students, milks three cows, makes cheese, and grows vegetables.
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