Biography

Bernadette Birzer is the Archivist for Collection Management and Digital Initiatives at Newcomb Institute. Bernadette holds an MLIS and Graduate Certificate in Archives and Special Collections from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Liberal Arts (with an emphasis in gender and sexuality) from Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement, and is also a Certified Archivist via the Academy of Certified Archivists. Bernadette is currently pursuing a Digital Archives Specialist Certificate (DAS) from the Society of American Archivists and just became a National Heritage Responder via the American Institute for Conservation/FAIC. Professional interests include the digitization, preservation, and sustainability of both digital and physical collections; extensible processing techniques, ArchivesSpace; reparative and inclusive descriptions in descriptive metadata, decolonizing libraries and archives, and disaster preparedness. Personal research interests include historic preservation through a feminist lens; creating art; exploring gender and sexuality in American pop culture; breaking down colonial residues; and how archivists can be activists. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Oversees the storage, organization, and preservation of archival collections and print materials, including the management of the Islandora digital repository at the Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Library Special Collections. 
• Establishes workflow schedules for the processing and digitization of archival collections. 
• Hires, trains, and supervises student workers, interns, and volunteers to implement processing workflow. 
• Staffs the reading room reference desk by appointment and provides remote and in-person reference assistance as needed.