For over a decade, I had the privilege of working on some of the most fascinating digitization projects with organizations like ProQuest, NewsBank, and OCLC. My career has been dedicated to transforming historical archives and special collections into digital resources accessible to scholars, researchers, and curious minds around the world. It’s a job that has always been about more than just scanning documents—it’s about preserving history and making it accessible to all.
When the opportunity to join Paperboy Digital Consulting came along, it felt like the perfect continuation of this journey. While I’m still actively searching for a full-time senior role in product management, Paperboy gives me a unique way to keep pursuing my passion for digitization. It's not just another consulting gig—it’s a chance to help institutions preserve their hidden histories and bring them to light in ways that matter deeply to me.
My Background in Digitization
I’ve spent years on the front lines of large-scale digitization projects. At ProQuest, I worked on iconic newspaper collections, managing the entire lifecycle of these projects, from initial concept to final delivery. It wasn’t just about the technicalities of scanning and digital enhancement—it was about making sure these historical records were accessible to a global audience. Similarly, at OCLC, I managed an Open Access collection, ensuring valuable academic resources were available to everyone, not just those within institutional walls.
One project that always sticks with me is the digitization of a small-town newspaper archive. These records held the only accounts of certain local events and personal stories that otherwise would have been lost to time. Seeing those stories come to life for researchers and the public reminded me that digitization is about more than preserving documents; it’s about making information equitable and useful to the world.
Whether it’s old newspapers, letters, or photographs, every record holds a story, and it’s essential that these stories aren’t lost to time. That’s why I believe so deeply in the power of digitization—and why I was drawn to Paperboy Digital Consulting.
Why Paperboy Is Special
What sets Paperboy apart is its focus on the underdogs in the archival world. While many digitization companies focus on large, well-funded institutions, Paperboy works with smaller, often underfunded libraries and archives—places that hold priceless treasures but don’t always have the resources or infrastructure to digitize them. These smaller collections may not make national headlines, but they tell the stories of local communities, marginalized voices, and everyday people. These are the stories that make history real and relevant. Paperboy’s focus on small archives and the stories they hold aligns perfectly with my lifelong passion. It’s not just about preserving documents—it’s about giving a voice to the communities and individuals who may otherwise be forgotten. That’s where Paperboy’s mission truly shines.
At Paperboy, we don’t just digitize; we provide end-to-end support, from helping institutions secure grant funding to managing the entire digitization process. It’s about meeting these smaller libraries where they are and helping them preserve their collections for future generations. And what makes it even more special to me is that Paperboy is deeply committed to Open Access, ensuring that digitized materials are freely available to the public, rather than locked behind paywalls.
Working with Paperboy means I can help smaller institutions, like the small-town archive I mentioned earlier, take control of their digitization projects. From securing grants to coordinating with trusted vendors, Paperboy offers tailored solutions for these unique collections—so libraries can focus on preserving their histories.
Digitizing for the Underdog
Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about giving a voice to overlooked and underrepresented stories. Small archives are often the only places where these stories survive. Whether it’s a community newspaper from a small town, letters from an immigrant family, or records of local activism, these collections offer invaluable insights into the human experience. They deserve to be preserved and shared, and Paperboy’s mission aligns perfectly with my belief in the power of digitization to bring these stories to light.
There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping these smaller institutions take control of their digitization projects. By working with Paperboy, I’m able to apply my experience in managing complex projects to help libraries and archives preserve their unique histories. I guide them through the process—from securing grants to coordinating with trusted vendors—so they can focus on what matters most: their collections.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is seeing how these institutions, despite their limited resources, are able to create lasting digital legacies for their communities. The impact goes beyond just preserving history—it’s about empowering these institutions to tell their own stories in a way that resonates across time and borders.
Balancing Passion with New Opportunities
While Paperboy’s mission is incredibly fulfilling, I remain open to new opportunities that allow me to apply my expertise in product management and digital transformation on a larger scale. My experience leading complex digitization projects and my passion for making information accessible have equipped me to take on leadership roles that drive innovation and create meaningful impact.
Paperboy keeps me connected to the work I love. It allows me to continue contributing to a field that deeply resonates with me—helping smaller institutions preserve their valuable histories. This role fulfills my desire to make a difference while I explore new challenges and the next step in my professional journey.
Why Small Archives Matter
At Paperboy, I’m reminded daily of the importance of these small, often forgotten archives. They are the unsung heroes of our historical landscape, holding stories that offer a more complete picture of the past. Local histories, marginalized voices, and community records—these are the collections that can fill in the gaps left by larger institutions.
Digitizing these collections doesn’t just preserve history; it empowers communities. It ensures that local voices remain accessible and that future generations can learn from and be inspired by their stories. Whether it’s a small-town newspaper from 1905 or the personal letters of a local family, these records hold immeasurable value—and making them available to all is what drives me.
Looking Ahead
Joining Paperboy Digital Consulting has allowed me to blend my professional expertise with my personal passion. It’s about more than just consulting—it’s about helping institutions preserve their histories and share their stories with the world. While I’m excited about future opportunities in product management, for now, Paperboy fulfills a purpose that’s close to my heart: giving the underdogs of the archival world a chance to shine.
If you share my passion for preserving history and making it accessible, or if you're interested in leveraging my expertise in product management, I’d love to connect. I’m always eager to explore new opportunities and forging meaningful collaborations.