PENNY L. CLARK
Beaumont,Texas
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Collections Librarian
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas
01.2018 - Current
- Historical scholar
- Published a book, The Civil Air Patrol at Beaumont, Texas during World War II, Arcadia Press, 2021
- Published two articles in Oil-Industry History “Untapped Black Gold: Lamar University’s Special Collections Oil-Related Holdings,” Volume 23, Number 1, 2022 and “Glory Days: How the Second Spindletop Shaped Beaumont, Texas Architecture,” Volume 22, Number 1, 2022.
- Presented eleven papers at historical conferences.
- Collaborated with Charlotte Holliman to apply for “Rescuing Texas History” grant from the Portal to Texas History 2024
- Wrote a successful “Rescuing Texas History” grant from the Portal to Texas History to digitize and publicize the photographs of mycologist David Lewis, 2021.
- Maintaining an annual budget of over $13,000
- Selected items to digitize.
- Researched vendors to digitize items.
- Supervised shipment of items
- Evaluated the work of vendors.
- Organized and described six collections and added to TARO (Texas Archival Resources Online) in 2023.
- Created a lengthy location guide to Special Collections on the fifth floor of the library 2023
- Organized and described four collections and added to TARO (Texas Archival Resources Online) in 2022
- Organized and described four collections and added to TARO 2021.
- Participated in a podcast, “Civil Air Patrol: Civilians Patrolling for Enemy Subs during World War II,” Southeast Texas Roots hosted by Andy Hemmings, March 2, 2024.
- Created a brochure on Special Collections’ oil-related collections.
- Posted images and text on Facebook.
- Participated in Archivists of the Houston Area Archives Bazaar 2023
- Participated in Centennial Fest 2023
- Tabled at Big Thicket Day providing information about our Big Thicket giving out swag, engaging visitors with games.
- Appeared on C-SPAN’s Book TV and American history 2012 “LCV Cities Tour” where I discussed the Dorothy Becker collections which documents Becker’s work as a nurse in World War II.
- Wrote a 30-page brief description of collections under topics such as dance and fine arts, Big Thicket, World War II, and local history for Lamar University’s web site.
- Nominated for “Lamar University Inspirational Woman Award” 2023
University Archivist
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas
01.2009 - 01.2018
- Responsibilities included: Reference, Technology, Interpersonal relations, Acquisition, Records Management.
- Provided assistance to both university archives and special collections by giving access, interpreting and creating finding aids, giving instruction in the proper handling of materials and providing knowledge of the records relevant to the individual researcher’s needs.
- Utilizing technology by digitizing photographs and documents, creating metadata, and overseeing archival storage.
- Maintained effective working relationships with colleagues, staff, and researchers.
- Solicited and acquired original materials for University Archives and Special Collections.
- Assumed responsibility for records management at the university from 2015-2018.
- Consulted with other Texas university records managers to create a new Records Retention Schedule, which the Texas State Library certified in 2015.
- Provided guidance to many departments on campus regarding records management and the destruction of records.
- Received an inaugural fellowship from the Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast 2017-2018.
- Conducted research at the National Archives and the Library of Congress.
- Conducted research at the Historic New Orleans Collection, Tulane University, the New Orleans Public Library, and the Notarial Archives.
- Selected an undergraduate student who conducted research, and assisted with the creation of a PowerPoint.
- Gave a presentation on my work, “Desperate People, Desperate Times: Civil War New Orleans,” Gulf South History and Humanities Conference, Pensacola, Florida, October 6, 2017.
- Gave a presentation, “Desperate People, Desperate Times: Civil War Women’s Work to Free Prisoners,” Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast, April 12, 2018.
Archivist
Tyrrell Historical Library
Beaumont, Texas
01.1999 - 01.2008
- Responsibilities included meeting with donors and acquiring collections, overseeing and providing reference assistance, processing collections, creating exhibitions, doing public relations for the library, selecting and working with guest speakers.
- Provided excellent reference service to patrons.
- Wrote over 100 articles for the local press about the library.
- Developed a new full color brochure for the library via a grant.
- Digitized photographs, maps, and diaries.
- Created and publicized 12 exhibits on local history topics.
Archivist/Museum Curator
Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center
Liberty, Texas
01.1993 - 01.1998
- Responsibilities included researching the history and architecture of the Norman House, an 1883 historical structure, designing exhibits in the Norman House, providing reference assistance, compiling finding guides to historic papers, including Martin Dies’ the founder of the House Un-American Activities Committee, cataloging and preserving artifacts.
- Awarded the Texas State Library’s Employee of the Quarter 1995.
Archivist
American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
Kansas City, Missouri
01.1991 - 01.1992
- As the first archivist for the Academy, I developed policies and procedures for the Foundation’s archives.
Timeline
Special Collections Librarian
Lamar University
01.2018 - Current
University Archivist
Lamar University
01.2009 - 01.2018
Archivist
Tyrrell Historical Library
01.1999 - 01.2008
Archivist/Museum Curator
Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center
01.1993 - 01.1998
Archivist
American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
01.1991 - 01.1992
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