Kaylee Swinford, one of our 2025 alums, currently works in a faculty position as an Instruction and Collections Archivist at the University at Buffalo within their special collections department.  Kaylee began her library career in the public library system, prior to coming to SLIS and working in UIowa’s special collections and archives department as the Olson Graduate Research Assistant, which she says “greatly prepared [her] for [her] new position through the varied experience with instruction, exhibit development, and archival processing.”

She says that her SLIS courses “that were centered on archives and special collections were always informative, particularly those that centered on instruction, outreach, and ethical stewardship,” and that she could “always count on Professor Theisen as a mentor through her wealth of knowledge and experience within special collections spaces, and also as a very encouraging and supportive voice throughout the job searching process.” She thinks all current SLIS students should stay open minded and that “practicums and internships are a fantastic way to experience a variety of library work within different environments,” with her own special collections journey beginning with a practicum.

In her current role, Kaylee processes collections and provides primary source instruction on how to utilize archival materials. Her favorite part of this job has been the opportunity to explore the collections and find meaningful connections in the greater Buffalo community: “Just this week I got to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Darwin Martin House as the personal papers and architectural collections concerning the home, Martin family and their relationship with Wright are held within the UB archives.”

We are so grateful to Kaylee for taking the time to answer some of our questions, and to get to spotlight her and her exciting career journey!