Lisa M. Grant
LI 801
Emporia State University
Information Professional Interview – Michele Elnicky, State of Utah Historical Collections Curator
I had the pleasure of interviewing Michele Elnicky, Historical Collections Curator from the Utah
Department of Community and Culture (UDCC). If you were ever curious about the previous owners of your home, what was advertised in a Salt Lake City phonebook in the early 1900s, or what the Sprague
Library looked like prior to 1928, then check out the collection Michele oversees because you will find your answers. According to the UDCC website she is the curator of a manuscript collection consisting of original historical documents, such as personal papers, photographs, research notes, organizations’ papers and oral histories and a database with over 33,000 maps, newspapers, and family history resources that include cemetery and census records and vital statistics.
I asked Michele what combination of education, training, and experience prepared her for her current position. Her education includes an undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies and a Masters of
Library Science (an Emporia State alumnus!). She has worked in an art gallery, a warehouse and public libraries. The gallery sold American-Indian and African art and was therefore a cross-cultural experience for Michele. It also gave her experience with three dimensional objects. In the warehouse job she shipped food to different places around the state of Utah. This job gave her organizational skills because the food had its place and needed to be located quickly and shipped to clients. She also spent a lot of time working in public libraries. She began as a volunteer, which eventually led to being hired in two different libraries enabling her to get on the substitute list. Over a two year period Michele worked in sixteen different libraries! She loved experiencing how different all the libraries were. She especially

enjoyed the Sweet Branch Library in the Avenues. She got to know the patrons well and loved the neighborhood feel of the branch.
I also asked about her typical day. She begins by setting intentions. In an “ideal day” she intends to spend half the day cataloging the collection. She explains that once an item is on the shelf, whether it’s a draft of the Utah State Constitution or a wedding dress made of parachute silk from the 1940s it is her under her care and is her responsibility. The other half of the day is always something different. It might involve purchasing supplies, giving a tour to members of the legislature or putting together a topical display from the collection. She was putting together an Olympic display when I interviewed her.
I also asked her what professional organizations she belongs to. She is a member of the Utah
Library Association, the American Library Association, Utah Museum Association and the United States
Manuscript Association. We also discussed what is meaningful about belonging to professional organizations? She responded, networking. She said she gains much from attending ULA because she keeps up locally with current practices and gets to know people who are really good at what they do and are ready to help with any questions she may have. She likes the national organizations like ALA because they help her keep current with national and international developments.
This interview was so interesting and informative. I have included the link to the UDCC website, http://history.utah.gov/research_and_collections/collections/index.html . Take a look. Or better yet, experience the historical collections yourself and bask in the glory of the beautiful Rio Grande building.
It is free and open to the public!