Bena Williams '22 is the 2022-2023 Special Collections Post-Baccalaureate Fellow for Public Services. She works primarily to support the Research Services Archivist in the areas of in-person and remote reference, including digitization. She aims to deliver detailed, consistent, and engaging reference experiences for all patrons. In addition, she participates in other core functions of Special Collections Public Services, including assisting with classes and putting together community and student outreach events.

Before beginning the fellowship, Bena was a Smith student, graduating in 2022 with an English major and concentrations in Creative Writing and Book Studies. Outside of the library, Bena enjoys reading and writing short fiction stories, playing the drums, watching horror movies, and befriending neighborhood cats.

Research Interests

Early book history and production, artist's books, pulp fiction and dime novels of the 1940s-1960s, and critical archival and library studies.