Kate Long (she/her) serves as the Research Services Archivist as part of the Public Services in Special Collections Team. Both in the reading room and through remote research services, Kate works to welcome all curious minds to use the collection to inform their research, artistic endeavors, or personal interests. She manages the Travel to Collections Fellowship Program which seeks to offset travel expenses to a wide variety of researchers with unique projects. One of Kate's favorite parts of her job is working with the special collections student assistants on answering reference questions and creating research resources.

Prior to joining Smith, Kate has worked to connect the public to incredible collection materials through exhibitions, instruction, public programs, and research services at the Folger Shakespeare Library and Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her professional journey began as a digital archives intern within the walls of the Historic Huguenot Street houses in the Hudson Valley. Beyond the library, Kate is trying her best to create a pollinator-friendly garden in between trips to the plethora of secondhand bookstores in the Pioneer Valley.

Research & Professional Interests

Equity and access in special collections, history of the book, primary source engagement for students, history of libraries and archives

Committees

Exhibitions Team, Bargaining Committee of the Smith College Libraries Workers Union (SCLWU)

Professional Affiliations

Society of American Archivists (SAA), Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS), Society for the History of Authorship, Reading, & Publishing (SHARP)