Leah Loscutoff
Monroe
Summary
Strategic leader in archives and special collections, dedicated to improving collection accessibility and supporting academic research. Spearheaded sustainable digital initiatives and outreach programs, significantly increasing community engagement and access to primary sources. Proven track record in policy development and team leadership, aligning operations with institutional goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Archives & Special Collections
Stevens Institute of Technology, Samuel C. Williams Library
06.2016 - Current
- Chaired archives & special collections advisory committee overseeing deaccessioning plans with university leadership.
- Developed and implemented policies enhancing preservation and digital initiatives.
- Led archival operations to improve collection accessibility and support academic research.
- Revised collections policy scope and donation guidelines; participated in strategic planning aligning with university goals.
- Coordinated outreach programs including lectures, exhibitions, social media, tours, and orientations to engage wider community.
- Curated exhibitions independently and collaboratively; managed artifact loans to cultural institutions.
- Managed reference services remotely and in person for archives & special collections department.
- Directed staff management and professional development for archives team including student workers and archivist.
Archivist and Special Collections Librarian
Stevens Institute of Technology, Samuel C. Williams Library
03.2013 - 06.2016
- Oversaw archival processing and reference services, implementing databases that streamlined collection management and enhanced user experience.
- Identified and managed preservation initiatives for rare books and historic artifacts, ensuring long-term conservation and accessibility.
- Established standards for cataloging and digitization projects to ensure consistency.
- Executed large-scale cataloging project for historic objects, resulting in comprehensive appraisal report that improved collection accessibility.
Digitization Archivist and Project Education Coordinator
Brooklyn Historical Society - IMLS Grant
10.2010 - 03.2013
- Developed digitization manual and trained student workers on cataloging standards to enhance accuracy
- Coordinated digitization project that launched public cultural heritage website
- Provided reference services and supported user engagement with digital collections
- Organized educational workshops and managed grant reporting for budget exceeding one million dollars
Project Archivist (temporary)
Columbia University, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library
02.2010 - 10.2010
- Implemented project schedules prioritizing processing tasks, ensuring adherence to deadlines and maintaining project momentum.
- Coordinated delivery schedules with stakeholders, facilitating timely access to appraised collections and supporting research efforts.
- Supervised student interns to process large archival collection spanning hundreds of linear feet, enhancing team capacity.
Education
Masters Library and Information Science - Library And Information Science
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA05-2008
Bachelor of Arts History - American History
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA05-2000
Skills
- Archival management
- Collection management
- Collection development
- Digital asset management
- Digital preservation
- Policy development
- User engagement strategies
- Community engagement initiatives
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership and development
- Public speaking
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
- Conferences:
- 2013, MARAC spring conference presentation, "CHARTing Our Course: Digitizing Brooklyn’s Visual History, a Collaborative Project"
- 2013, ARLIS annual conference presentation, "Collaborating for Discovery: Expanding Landscapes for Digital Collections through Joint Ventures"
- 2019, SAA annual conference, "Community Connections: Unleashing the Potential of Programs and Services Aimed at Underserved Stakeholder Communities"
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 2026, 250th Lecture Series: Colonel John Stevens and Early America and Hoboken (1776 - 1825)
- 2025, exhibition on the History of Innovation at Stevens in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and featuring Dr. Frederick Reines ‘39, Nobel Prize winner.
- Collaborated with the University Advancement department to create videos on Nobel Prize winners at Stevens and esteemed Stevens alumni.
- 2021, Roundtable discussion for Black History Month on the accession of The James Braxton Papers.
- 2021, Article published in The Stevens Indicator titled, “Dr. James Braxton: Building a more Equitable World Through Affordable Housing Systems.”
- 2021, “Hoboken Talks” virtual informal talk on the history of Stevens.
- 2020, virtual lecture titled "The First 100 Years: A Brief History of Stevens (1870 - 1970)" to help celebrate the 150th anniversary
- 2019, interviewed for a local news segment on "Jersey Matters" talking about the importance of documenting the history of the embroidery and lace industry in New Jersey
- Started the The Voices from Castle Point oral history program which was created to help document historically underrepresented groups in the archives
- Started a regular column in The Stevens Indicator alumni magazine called, "Out of the Archives" in collaboration with the University Advancement department to highlight some lesser known stories from the archives
- 2015, collaborated with the Hoboken Historical Museum and guest curated an exhibit on the history of the Stevens Family.
2015, organized and helped to host an interdisciplinary conference on Stevens alumnus Frederick W. Taylor (Class of 1883).
Timeline
Head of Archives & Special Collections
Stevens Institute of Technology, Samuel C. Williams Library
06.2016 - Current
Archivist and Special Collections Librarian
Stevens Institute of Technology, Samuel C. Williams Library
03.2013 - 06.2016
Digitization Archivist and Project Education Coordinator
Brooklyn Historical Society - IMLS Grant
10.2010 - 03.2013
Project Archivist (temporary)
Columbia University, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library
02.2010 - 10.2010
Masters Library and Information Science - Library And Information Science
San Jose State University
Bachelor of Arts History - American History
San Francisco State University