Caltech Library News

An Interview with Archival Processing Intern Matthew Dominguez

This summer, the Caltech Archives and Special Collections hired Matthew Dominguez as Archival Processing Intern to arrange, describe, rehouse, and create a finding aid for The Mechanical Universe records. From 1985-1986, The Mechanical Universe was an educational telecourse on introductory physics based on a lecture series taught by Frank J. Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor David Goodstein.

This fall, Matthew is beginning his final term at San Jose State University, where he will complete his Master of Library of Information Science (MLIS). The Archives and Special Collections team thank Matthew for helping us preserve and make accessible the records which capture the history of this unique project. His friendly demeanor and work ethic were a nice addition to the archives work room this past summer. We wish him well in his future endeavors as he pursues his career goals.

Collections and Metadata Archivist Penny Neder-Muro asked Matthew some questions about his experience working in archives and special collections and his plans for the future. 

Can you tell us how you became interested in working in archives and special collections? How have your past experiences encouraged you to pursue an MLIS?

After earning my B.A. in history, I began looking for a part-time job as I was about to enter the history M.A. program at Cal State LA. While searching for jobs, I came across an on-campus job posting for a student assistant in Cal State LA’s Special Collections and Archives. I decided to apply due to its relevance to my degree. However, at this point, I had no idea that Cal State LA had a Special Collections and Archives. In fact, I had never even entered the library on campus. Nevertheless, I was hired! However, I quickly found the work tedious since my first couple of months on the job were spent relabeling folders for the Julian Nava Collection. Over time, as I was given more duties, I became more comfortable with the environment and developed an appreciation for archival work. When I later decided not to pursue a Ph.D. in History, I saw archives as the next reasonable step in career pursuits due to the experience I had developed. This decision ultimately led me to pursue an MLIS degree and potentially commit to a career in the archival field.

Can you briefly describe what your work as Archival Processing Intern has entailed?

My primary responsibility as  Processing Intern was mainly to process the Mechanical Universe collection. This involved surveying and inventorying the collection, arranging materials into logical series and sub-series, writing descriptive content that explained the purpose of each grouping, creating a detailed finding aid, and integrating that finding aid into ArchivesSpace (the archives content management system). While my primary focus was on this collection, I also assisted with smaller projects, exposing me to various tasks within the Caltech Archives.

What is one surprising thing you learned while working in the Archives? 

I wouldn’t say I was surprised, but this internship made me more confident about working in an archival repository whose subject matter isn’t directly tied to my background or experience. When I first applied for the internship at Caltech, I was concerned that my lack of knowledge in physics or the sciences might make processing a collection like The Mechanical Universe more challenging. Over time, I found that strong archival skills translate well across disciplines. I could effectively bridge any knowledge gaps by using the collection as a resource and conducting additional research when necessary.

Also, one aspect that surprised me was that discarding is essential to condense a collection and to keep what was most important. In my previous experience working at Cal State LA's Special Collection, volunteering at the Writers Guild Foundation Archives, and working closely with the SAG-AFTRA historian and archivist, just about everything was kept when a collection was handed to me. Materials were generally not discarded from these past collections I worked on. However, for the Mechanical Universe collection, many materials were removed for good reason. Duplicate materials and those not directly relevant to the Mechanical Universe project were discarded. Materials already housed in Caltech's archives, such as Caltech publications and newspaper clippings from major organizations, like the L.A. Times, were also discarded, which can easily be found online.

What is one thing you learned about physics or television production while organizing the collection that you would like to share?

While organizing The Mechanical Universe collection, I was surprised by the scale and complexity of producing an educational television series, and the amount of networking and interdisciplinary work it took to create such a project. The production involved physicists and educators, writers, animators, graphic designers, and experts in other disciplines who had to work closely with each other. I also learned that the series pushed boundaries in educational media by combining live-action lectures with high-quality animations to explain abstract concepts. 

What do you hope to do when you complete your MLIS degree?

My primary goal is to establish a career! I plan to work in an academic library, specifically an archives, where I can hopefully integrate my passion for history and teaching history with archival work. However, the dream would be to work for the Walt Disney Archives. As a Disney fan and a current Disneyland cast member, I would love to be able to combine my professional background and training with my enthusiasm for Disney history.

Any final thoughts?

I’m grateful for my experience and time during this internship. Not only did I have the opportunity to work with incredible colleagues who supported me in both professional and personal pursuits, but I also became more confident in my work and place in the archives field. While I’ve processed collections before, this was the first time I had complete control of a project from start to finish. Having the responsibility to make every decision, from initial inventory to final finding aid and integration to ArchivesSpace, was both challenging and rewarding, and it’s an experience I’ll bring with me in my future work.

Thank you, Matthew. The Mechanical Universe Records are open and available to access in the archives reading room. Email archives@caltech.edu to make an appointment.