With the start of the new 2025-2026 school year upon us, I would like to provide an introduction to Special Collections & Archives operations so that ZSR will be better informed about our Team and know who to contact for specific requests.

First, we frequently hear: “So, I have a question for Special Collections & Archives, who should I contact first?” The best place to start is archives@wfu.edu, your go-to for reference questions, requesting instruction for classes, or donations. Messages sent to this email go to Ashelee, Megan, Rebecca, and Tanya, so we can make sure something is handled even if one of us is out of the office.

We are open to walk-in traffic from 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday and by special appointment, in the SCA Research Room (625 ZSR Library), but we do encourage researchers and visitors to schedule their visit. As more of our collections reside off-site or elsewhere in ZSR, it can take time for us to ensure we are completely prepared for visits.

Each SCA Team member has responsibilities where they focus their attention. Here is a general description of what each Team member does, as well as their title.

• Craig Fansler (Preservation Librarian) creates boxes for rare books and completes minor repairs on both SCA and General Collection materials.
• Ashelee Gerald Hill (Access & Outreach Archivist) is responsible for answering reference questions, compiling research resources, and assisting with instruction. She also oversees the use of our transcription platform, From the Page.
• Rebecca Petersen May (Public Services Archivist) coordinates our introductory instruction efforts (including Lib100), answers reference questions, schedules the reference desk, and coordinates many of our outreach programs.
• Megan Mulder (Special Collections Librarian and Rare Books Curator) does in-depth instruction and works closely with faculty to integrate our rare books into their curriculum. She also creates original catalog records for SCA materials.
• Marcia Phillips (Metadata Specialist, PT) is creating metadata for our issues of the Biblical Recorder (published by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina), dating back to 1834.
• Melde Rutledge (Digital Collections Librarian) oversees reproduction requests from our patrons, coordinates our many SCA digitization projects, and supervises students assisting with these projects.
• Sam Sfirri (Collections Archivist) accessions and processes collections, supervises those working with archives collections, and oversees the creation of collection finding aids, which are then made available online.
• Beth Tedford (Copy Cataloging and Database Maintenance Specialist) reviews catalog records in Alma, creates copy catalog records for SCA materials, and researches donated rare books.
• Kate Trathen (Processing Archivist) is responsible for inventorying and processing high-priority collections, including the Board of Trustees minutes, the Harold McKinnish Papers, and the Wake Forest Audio Reel-to-Reel collection, in addition to others.
• Alayna Veasey (Collections Specialist) coordinates reshelving and shifting projects for our rare books and collections. She handles our physical inventory within the library and at the ZSR Offsite Storage Facility (where she also assists the Public Services Team).
• In addition to managing and supervising the department, Tanya Zanish-Belcher (Director) appraises collections, interacts with on-campus and external donors about collection donations or transfers, and develops outreach events and projects with campus and external partners.

We also host volunteers whose projects include conducting research on special projects, drafting timeline entries, researching Baptist records, and writing blog posts. We could also not do everything we do without our many student assistants who scan materials, assist with reference and preservation, or do collection processing and research projects.

Anyone with questions can send requests to archives@wfu.edu. We will have a number of regular fall events coming up, which we will share through calendar invitations, so, please plan to join us!