During her two years as the DC History Center’s Library Services Coordinator, Sam Lewis had the opportunity to work with the collections, staff, and researchers of the Kiplinger Research Library while completing her graduate studies. Along the way, she picked up a few lessons that surprised her, challenged her, and changed the way she thinks about archives, librarianship, and history. Here are Sam’s top 10 lessons learned working in the Kiplinger Research Library.
Sam Lewis assists a teacher during Teach the District, our annual teacher professional development. Photo by Phillip Warfield.
1. We are all recordkeepers.
Everyone is recording and preserving information, whether they realize it or not. The next time you make a grocery list, keep your concert tickets, or take a family photo, think about how these little pieces of information tell a story about your life and how you lived it.
2. Gloves AREN’T king?!
It turns out all those old movies about handling archival records with gloves were lying to us. Clean, bare hands give you far more sensitivity when handling delicate paper materials. While gloves still have their place in handling photographs and artwork, you can rest assured that the only tools you’ll need for paper archives are your own two hands!
3. Archives are alive.
Just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s dead. The records may be old, but the stories aren’t. Archivists and researchers are constantly adding context, uncovering new information, and addressing archival silences.
4. Label EVERYTHING!!!
If there is one thing I learned from working in an archive, it’s to label absolutely everything. Projects get interrupted, carts get moved, and people forget. When you’re working with piles of paper and boxes upon boxes of books, a label can save you hours of detective work.
5. Learning is a process.
You don’t have to know everything before you start. The DC History Center taught me that learning happens through asking questions, making mistakes, doing the work, and trying again. Sometimes the best way to learn is simply to get your hands dirty (or dusty).
6. DC is a home.
As the nation’s capital, DC is often reduced to monuments, museums, and politics. But DC is also a vibrant city with a rich local history. Talk to a DC native (or visit the DC History Center) and you’ll quickly learn that the city’s story is much bigger than the federal government.
7. You never know what you’ll find.
Some people mistakenly think librarians and archivists have all the answers. While we do our best to know our collections and how to find information, it’s impossible to know every detail off the top of your head. That’s why, when you dig into a box of materials, you sometimes find something that surprises you. For me, it was Joseph Corsbie’s doodle of a beer barrel tucked into a letter to his brother-in-law and business partner about their brewing business. It was a small reminder that the people we encounter in the archives were humans who did very human things, like doodle in the margins of a letter.
8. Ask the question.
Librarians live to help people find information. Whether it’s a quick question about where to find the city directories or an in-depth research question about your family history, we want to help. Just give us time, cooperation, and a little patience, and we’ll do our best to find the answer.
9. Wear layers.
Archivists are constantly worrying about temperature and humidity—two major environmental factors for delicate paper materials. While cold, dry environments are ideal for collections, they are decidedly less ideal for people. Next time you’re visiting an archive or special collections library, remember to wear layers!
10. History belongs to everyone.
Working at the DC History Center reminded me that history isn’t something that only happens to famous people or gets written in textbooks. It lives in our neighborhoods, families, communities, and everyday lives. And we all have a role in preserving it.
Sam Lewis looks on during the 2026 Teach the District, our teacher professional development workshop. Photo by Phillip Warfield.
