2/23 Event “Let’s Archive It!”

Hello all,

Graduate Center Digital Initiatives and the Mina Rees Library are excited to invite you to an upcoming event:

“Let’s Archive It!” Three CUNY Archivists on What it Means to Steward Collections

Monday, February 23rd 2026, Noon to 1:30pm

Graduate Center, Room 9206

In-person event with hybrid option (RSVP for Zoom link here).

Doing archival research? Teaching with archives? Creating digital archives? Come hear from three CUNY archivists about the exciting archival work that is happening here at the Graduate Center and across the CUNYverse. Our speakers will discuss the differences between approaching sources as an archivist and a researcher; share initial findings from Cultivating Archives & Institutional Memory, an ambitious project to unify practice at CUNY’s 31 libraries and 100 cultural centers and institutes; and explore strategies for teaching CUNY’s activist histories in undergraduate classrooms across CUNY.

Speakers:

Jessica Webster is the Head of Archives and Special Collections at Baruch College as well as a PhD student in history at the CUNY Graduate Center. Her talk will focus on the nature of archival work, the differences between engaging with archival sources as an archivist and as a researcher, and her career modulating between both worlds.

Natalie Milbrodt serves as the inaugural University Archivist for the City University of New York (CUNY) where her team is responsible for implementing strategies and systems for increased collection discovery and use. Her responsibilities also include coordination and planning for digital preservation and records management across the organization.

Roxanne Shirazi is associate professor and Head of Archives and Special Collections at the Mina Rees Library of the CUNY Graduate Center, where she also oversees the Dissertation Office. Since 2022, Roxanne has served as project director for the CUNY Digital History Archive. She’ll discuss recent efforts to bring CUNY’s activist histories into undergraduate classrooms by building community around teaching with primary sources from CUNY archives.

Moderated by Maggie Schreiner, Digital Fellow at Graduate Center Digital Initiatives, PhD candidate in History, and archivist.

This event will be in-person at the Graduate Center, with a remote option via Zoom. RSVP here for the Zoom link. RSVPs for in-person attendees are appreciated, but not required.

Hosted by Graduate Center Digital Initiatives and the Mina Rees Library.