Student Spotlight - Tyrell Darrell Wilson
Tyrell Darrell Wilson is a graduate student in the Master of Library Science Program. He was originally from Baltimore Maryland before he moved to Warren County, North Carolina in 2011. Tyrell came to ECU to earn his Bachelor of Arts in History because he was drawn to the culture of ECU, it was closer to home, and he had always been fascinated learning about history, particularly, the World War II and Vietnam eras. He has been working for the History Collections department of Laupus Library since August 2024 and details his experience here.
Please describe in a sentence or two the work that you do for Laupus Library’s History Collections.
I assist with quality assurance-based projects such as sorting and organizing photos, microfilm, and artifacts of donors who entrust me with preserving their personal belongings both physically and digitally. I also assist with organizing exhibits for patrons who are interested in touring or using the services of the Laupus Library’s History Collections department.
What has been most interesting to you about your work? What new things have you learned? Have you made any surprising discoveries?
The most interesting part I love about my work is getting to physically touch artifacts that are between decades and centuries old. Being a history major, it goes hand in hand with my work. It makes me feel proud that I am serving a vital role for the artifact’s preservation. I learned the vital skills of digitizing physical artifacts into the collections catalog, properly and safely preserving physical artifacts, and sharpening my attention-to-detail skills. YES! Since working with the history collections, I learned that Laupus collaborates closely with the Country Doctor Museum in Bailey, NC, who honor the work of rural health care providers since its founding in 1967.
What would you say makes archives important? Why should students, faculty, and members of the community use our archives?
Archives are important because they play a vital role in preserving the memories and history of people who can’t rely on anyone else to preserve it for them after their time has passed. Without archives, all the historical knowledge we have gained would be lost to time, like tears in rain. For that reason, it’s why students, faculty, and community members should use Laupus History Collections to preserve the memory of health professionals or overall worthwhile life moments.
What are you studying, and what do you hope to do in your future career? Has your work in the History Collections influenced this in any way?
I am currently studying Library Science with a concentration in academic libraries. In the future, I hope to gain a full-time faculty position at a university’s library in any area where I am most efficient. However, since working with the Laupus History Collections department, my career goals have evolved. I now wish to become an archivist because it synergizes with my history interests and degree. It disciplines me to have perfect attention to detail skills and I enjoy the quiet, relaxed, cubicle work environment because it fits well for my introverted personality.
How has your experience in Laupus Library’s History Collections shaped your perspective on the importance of preserving and accessing historical archives for future generations?
My experiences with Lapus Library’s History Collections have shaped my perspective on the importance of preservation by closely and physically working with the artifacts. Whenever I closely examine a photograph, graduation photo, or any other personal belonging a client provided to the department I remind myself that this person is putting a great deal of trust in me to preserve it for them. It is ultimately in my hands whether or not this artifact gets properly preserved or lost forever. So, it is not an obligation but a duty to ensure that I take my job seriously and do everything I can that the artifact is archived correctly.