The following is a post by Meg Gray, a library technician in the General Collections Conservation section of the Conservation Division.
The General Collections Conservation Section (GCCS) is preparing for a celebration. The space is ready, the techs, conservators, and specialists from across the Conservation Division are making food for the party. Tales will be told, there will be laughter and gifts for the guest of honor, and speeches from those who know her best. The Library will send off one of our own in style. At the same time, there is an air of quiet contemplation and a little sorrow, because although we are happy, we know that after tomorrow, GCCS will be very different in the wake of the retirement of Carrie Beyer.
In celebration of Carrie, we felt it would be appropriate to talk with her about her time at the Library and both celebrate and reflect upon a long and storied career. The following is an interview with Carrie on the eve of her retirement.
Tell us about your background, when did you start at the Library?
I have a master’s degree from GW (editor’s note: George Washington University) in Museum Studies and worked as a Conservation Technician at the National Archives before I came to the Library. I started at the Library in 1990 and I took seven years off when my son was in elementary school.
Did you always know you wanted to work in the field of cultural heritage?
Yes, I always knew I wanted to do something with history, archives and the humanities but I am still not sure I know what I want to do when I grow up! I am sort of a Jack of all Trades and Master of None! My first memory is learning to write my name at the age of four, because you had to write your own name to get a library card at the public library. Going to the library for story time was the highlight of my week when I was little. My mom and I took the bus to get there. I heard a story or saw a movie at the library, did a craft, checked out books and then went out to lunch in Old Town Alexandria. The day at the library was a big deal on my social calendar!
Looking back on your career here, what are some of your favorite projects?
Not really any favorite projects, more the people that I met doing the projects or revising the workflows are the things I am going to remember the most.
Do you have any advice for people interested in this field?
Make sure you love what you do! And that you respect the people you are working with!
What skills or competencies do you think are really important for people that want to get into this field?
Being able to put your role in perspective within the workflows of the Library and being able to see how libraries as a whole fit into the cultural landscape. People in this field are very detail-oriented and this is not always for the best. The ability to switch between the details and the big picture is an invaluable skill and not everyone has it.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I love vegetable gardening! My dad always had a vegetable garden when I was growing up. I love working with my hands, mostly knitting or doing Sashiko, Japanese embroidery and Shibori, Japanese dyeing.
What is something your co-workers may not know about you?
My husband is a librarian, my cousin is a librarian, and both of my sisters are librarians. You could say working in libraries runs in the family!
Well said, Carrie! Here’s to a happy retirement and many long days spent enjoying your well-earned time in your garden. The Conservation Division will miss you!
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