Shelia Mayo

I began my 31+ year career with the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) when they were part of the U.S. General Services Administration.

I began my service as a Clerk-Typist in the Still Pictures Branch. Later, I became the departmental secretary and my duties included responding to requests for photographic material. It was the knowledge and experience I acquired in that position that made it possible for me to qualify for an Archives Technician position.

In 1999, I transferred to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum to work with the Audiovisual Collection. A typical day consists of:

• training and assisting volunteers
• assisting researchers
• entering, and reviewing material for the Archival Research Catalog;
• coordinating web content for Archives.gov

My work is extremely interesting because you never know who may show up, what the customer's research topic may be, or what the day might bring. This can include working with original materials dating back to the Civil War or meeting the former President and Mrs. Carter. I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting the former President and First Lady on several occasions.

I also had the honor of working with former Vice-President Mondale this year when he came to research his material.

Not only do I enjoy the work that I do, and the people that I work with, but I love knowing that I play a role in ensuring that all citizens are able to retrieve and review essential historical evidence in a timely manner.