by Crystal Nguyen, May 2026 / FOCAS Intern, 25-26 / University of Arizona
During the Spring 2026 semester, I interned at the Dunbar Pavilion and stepped into the world of archives for the first time. Not only did I learn common archival practice but I also built bonds with members of the local community and contributed to events. With the help of my supervisor (Professor Berlin Loa), experienced peer (Olivia), and Dunbar’s historian (Barbara Lewis), I learned about Dunbar’s rich history and how to work collaboratively.
At the beginning of the semester, we dove into processing and establishing collections. The items were inventoried prior to my arrival, but now it was time to organize the collections and make them searchable. We started with photos since they are the most used item at Dunbar, and from there we branched out to different collections based on notable figures they depicted. Examples include Cressworth Lander, Dunbar alum and former president of the Dunbar Coalition, and Aloma Barnes, Dunbar alum who went on to write a book about the neighborhood and school’s history.
Besides processing, I assisted with installing an exhibit on notable Dunbar alumni. Olivia created the displays for the alumni exhibit, so I helped by taking measurements, placing exhibits, and preparing displays. The process was meticulous and time consuming, but it was rewarding and gave me a taste of museum exhibition work. Additionally, I was tasked with phase three of an ongoing exhibition project of displays placed along the main hallways of Dunbar. These displays focused on class photos, documents, Dunbar’s later years, and the Dunbar Coalition. Working on this project independently allowed me to gain experience with creating displays, integrating my work with pre-existing narratives, and navigating Adobe InDesign.
In our final weeks, we started planning to move the archive into its permanent home. Though the semester is over, we will work in the summer to renovate and move the collection to its new space.
This semester has given me much insight, growth, and perspective. I went in with a strong focus on public librarianship, but archives are now calling my name, especially ones that cater to underserved communities. While this experience has taught me valuable skills, the bonds I built will resonate most. I would not gone this far without Miss Barbara’s dedication to sharing Dunbar’s rich history, Berlin’s expertise in archives, and Olivia’s passion in contributing to Dunbar. While it is imperative to physically preserve Dunbar and its materials, the community is ultimately what holds it together, so maintaining these bonds will ensure longevity.