Q&A with retired Archivist of the United States David Ferriero

DIANE DALLIS-COMENTALE: Hello.

DIANE DALLIS-COMENTALE: Hello.

OK.

OK.

Just checking.

Just checking.

Welcome everyone.

Welcome everyone.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

I'm Diane Dallis-Comentale, Ruth Lilly Dean of IU Libraries.

I'm Diane Dallis-Comentale, Ruth Lilly Dean of IU Libraries.

Indiana University has championed

Indiana University has championed

libraries and archives of diverse collections

libraries and archives of diverse collections

which have been developed over centuries

which have been developed over centuries

by expert librarians, researchers, archivists,

by expert librarians, researchers, archivists,

and curators.

and curators.

As a librarian, I have the privilege

As a librarian, I have the privilege

of leading one of the top research library

of leading one of the top research library

systems in North America.

systems in North America.

My role requires me to simultaneously consider

My role requires me to simultaneously consider

the past and the future, and constantly keep those things

the past and the future, and constantly keep those things

in the balance.

in the balance.

I ask that we pause for a moment to think

I ask that we pause for a moment to think

about all that has come before us,

about all that has come before us,

and all those who made it possible for us to be here,

and all those who made it possible for us to be here,

together, today.

together, today.

Indiana University was built on Indigenous homelands

Indiana University was built on Indigenous homelands

and resources.

and resources.

With deep respect and appreciation,

With deep respect and appreciation,

I acknowledge the Indigenous nations' communities, families,

I acknowledge the Indigenous nations' communities, families,

and especially those of the Miami, Delaware, Potawatomi,

and especially those of the Miami, Delaware, Potawatomi,

and Shawnee people.

and Shawnee people.

The Foundation of our state and our University

The Foundation of our state and our University

was built on unceded land by indentured laborers,

was built on unceded land by indentured laborers,

immigrants, and many people who endured and struggled

immigrants, and many people who endured and struggled

those whose names and lives have often

those whose names and lives have often

been forgotten by history.

been forgotten by history.

With this in mind, before our program starts,

With this in mind, before our program starts,

I hope that you consider the opportunity and privilege we

I hope that you consider the opportunity and privilege we

all share in being here today.

all share in being here today.

All who have come before us, all who

All who have come before us, all who

have made it possible to be here today,

have made it possible to be here today,

open to a conversation across many generations

open to a conversation across many generations

and with many new ideas coming together.

and with many new ideas coming together.

This is a privilege we share, and I really

This is a privilege we share, and I really

appreciate your thoughts about that as you go

appreciate your thoughts about that as you go

through the rest of your day.

through the rest of your day.

So on behalf of our partners, I am

So on behalf of our partners, I am

thrilled by your interest in the significance of archives

thrilled by your interest in the significance of archives

and the role of the national government.

and the role of the national government.

It is an honor for IU to host this discussion as we kick off

It is an honor for IU to host this discussion as we kick off

American Archives Month as well as a month

American Archives Month as well as a month

celebrating archives of the state of Indiana.

celebrating archives of the state of Indiana.

Thanks to a formal proclamation by our governor.

Thanks to a formal proclamation by our governor.

Our partners for this gathering are listed on the screen above.

Our partners for this gathering are listed on the screen above.

Though, I am specifically calling attention

Though, I am specifically calling attention

to our friends at the Luddy School

to our friends at the Luddy School

of Informatics Department of Information and Library

of Informatics Department of Information and Library

Science, the Hamilton Lugar School of Global

Science, the Hamilton Lugar School of Global

and International Studies, and the Paul O'Neill

and International Studies, and the Paul O'Neill

School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

If you are here as part of the fall 2023 Themester, Lux

If you are here as part of the fall 2023 Themester, Lux

et Veritas, you deserve a special welcome.

et Veritas, you deserve a special welcome.

Thank you to the College of Arts and Sciences

Thank you to the College of Arts and Sciences

for more than a decade of engaged

for more than a decade of engaged

learning through the exceptional issues based Themester

learning through the exceptional issues based Themester

teaching and programming.

teaching and programming.

It turns out that this year's Themester theme, light

It turns out that this year's Themester theme, light

and truth, was quite inspirational to my colleague

and truth, was quite inspirational to my colleague

Dina Kellams, Director of University Archives,

Dina Kellams, Director of University Archives,

and the incredible team of archivists she leads.

and the incredible team of archivists she leads.

When they first began discussing and planning

When they first began discussing and planning

this year's activities, they knew right away

this year's activities, they knew right away

that the person they wanted to have come,

that the person they wanted to have come,

who could best illustrate and illuminate

who could best illustrate and illuminate

how important archives are, is our former Archivist

how important archives are, is our former Archivist

of the United States, David Ferriero.

of the United States, David Ferriero.

In a moment I will hand over the stage

In a moment I will hand over the stage

to Sara Stefani one of the IU Library's

to Sara Stefani one of the IU Library's

many outstanding archivists, who will be moderating

many outstanding archivists, who will be moderating

this discussion today.

this discussion today.

Sara is the modical--

Sara is the modical--

political-- modern-- I'm so sorry.

political-- modern-- I'm so sorry.

Modern Political Papers Archivist and she

Modern Political Papers Archivist and she

joined the IU Libraries in 2018 to work

joined the IU Libraries in 2018 to work

on the papers of the longtime Indiana Senator, Richard Lugar.

on the papers of the longtime Indiana Senator, Richard Lugar.

Sara received her doctorate from Yale University

Sara received her doctorate from Yale University

in Slavic languages and literature.

in Slavic languages and literature.

She oversees our collections of papers from Congresswoman,

She oversees our collections of papers from Congresswoman,

Jill Long Thompson, Senator Birch Bayh, and Congressman Lee

Jill Long Thompson, Senator Birch Bayh, and Congressman Lee

Hamilton, among many others.

Hamilton, among many others.

She is a member of the steering committee of the Congressional

She is a member of the steering committee of the Congressional

Papers Section of the American Society of Archivist,

Papers Section of the American Society of Archivist,

and the president of the Association of Centers

and the president of the Association of Centers

for the Study of Congress.

for the Study of Congress.

Sarah will be leading the question and answer session

Sarah will be leading the question and answer session

with our distinguished guest, David Ferriero, who

with our distinguished guest, David Ferriero, who

served as the 10th archivist of the United States

served as the 10th archivist of the United States

from 2009 through April 2022.

from 2009 through April 2022.

President Barack Obama nominated Mr Ferriero,

President Barack Obama nominated Mr Ferriero,

who was confirmed by the US Senate

who was confirmed by the US Senate

and sworn in November of 2020--

and sworn in November of 2020--

sorry, 2009.

sorry, 2009.

As archivist, Mr Ferriero oversaw the addition

As archivist, Mr Ferriero oversaw the addition

of three new presidential libraries

of three new presidential libraries

to the National Archives and Records Administration

to the National Archives and Records Administration

Presidential Library systems.

Presidential Library systems.

Before leading the National Archives,

Before leading the National Archives,

Mr Ferriero served as Andrew W. Mellon, director

Mr Ferriero served as Andrew W. Mellon, director

of New York Public Library.

of New York Public Library.

He was part of the leadership team

He was part of the leadership team

responsible for integrating the four research libraries and 87

responsible for integrating the four research libraries and 87

branches to create the largest public library

branches to create the largest public library

system in the United States and one of the largest research

system in the United States and one of the largest research

libraries in the world.

libraries in the world.

Mr Ferriero served in top leadership positions

Mr Ferriero served in top leadership positions

in two of the nation's highly ranked universities,

in two of the nation's highly ranked universities,

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge,

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge,

Massachusetts, and Duke University in Durham, North

Massachusetts, and Duke University in Durham, North

Carolina.

Carolina.

Mr Ferriero earned bachelor's degrees and master's degrees

Mr Ferriero earned bachelor's degrees and master's degrees

in English Literature from Northeastern University

in English Literature from Northeastern University

in Boston and a master's degree from Simmons College of Library

in Boston and a master's degree from Simmons College of Library

and Information Science in Boston.

and Information Science in Boston.

Mr Ferriero also served as a Navy hospital corpsman

Mr Ferriero also served as a Navy hospital corpsman

during the Vietnam War.

during the Vietnam War.

Before we jump into the Q&A our moderator,

Before we jump into the Q&A our moderator,

Sara Stefani has a few details regarding

Sara Stefani has a few details regarding

audience participation.

audience participation.

And I'm going to hand things over

And I'm going to hand things over

to Sarah's very capable hands.

to Sarah's very capable hands.

And I sincerely appreciate all of you

And I sincerely appreciate all of you

being in attendance today.

being in attendance today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

[APPLAUSE]

[APPLAUSE]

SARA STEFANI: Hello, everyone.

SARA STEFANI: Hello, everyone.

I want to thank everyone for coming today.

I want to thank everyone for coming today.

As Diane mentioned, this is a celebration

As Diane mentioned, this is a celebration

of National Archives Month.

of National Archives Month.

And also, this particular month of October 2023, Governor Eric

And also, this particular month of October 2023, Governor Eric

Holcomb has decreed as Indiana Archives Month.

Holcomb has decreed as Indiana Archives Month.

So of course, there's no better person

So of course, there's no better person

to have come to talk about archives

to have come to talk about archives

than David Ferriero, the 10th archivist of the United States.

than David Ferriero, the 10th archivist of the United States.

And as far as audience participation goes,

And as far as audience participation goes,

we will have a sing along a little bit later.

we will have a sing along a little bit later.

No I'm just kidding.

No I'm just kidding.

So essentially, what we plan to do today is David

So essentially, what we plan to do today is David

and I will have a Q&A session of our own

and I will have a Q&A session of our own

but possibly even just a conversation.

but possibly even just a conversation.

I mean, we kind of hope that this will be a--

I mean, we kind of hope that this will be a--

DAVID FERRIERO: Loose.

DAVID FERRIERO: Loose.

SARA STEFANI: A loose conversation

SARA STEFANI: A loose conversation

that's of benefit to everybody.

that's of benefit to everybody.

But also there are pre-selected or-- sorry,

But also there are pre-selected or-- sorry,

pre-submitted questions.

pre-submitted questions.

I think most of you who RSVP'd--

I think most of you who RSVP'd--

or all of you who are RSVP'd--

or all of you who are RSVP'd--

received a link to potentially submit questions ahead of time.

received a link to potentially submit questions ahead of time.

If you didn't submit any questions, that's fine.

If you didn't submit any questions, that's fine.

You may not have had any.

You may not have had any.

But during the course of our conversation

But during the course of our conversation

questions may arise.

questions may arise.

And this is why I think all of you

And this is why I think all of you

have a note card and a writing utensil.

have a note card and a writing utensil.

And so please feel free to write down any questions

And so please feel free to write down any questions

that you may have.

that you may have.

And at approximately 4:45--

And at approximately 4:45--

so maybe in about a half an hour--

so maybe in about a half an hour--

my colleagues at the University Archives,

my colleagues at the University Archives,

Dina Kellams and Carrie Schweer, will come by

Dina Kellams and Carrie Schweer, will come by

and collect your note cards.

and collect your note cards.

And then I will hand the floor over to your questions,

And then I will hand the floor over to your questions,

meaning that I'll take the cards and read them all out.

meaning that I'll take the cards and read them all out.

So we will have your input and the things

So we will have your input and the things

that interest you all.

that interest you all.

So with that, I guess we will start.

So with that, I guess we will start.

Actually, my first question is unplanned

Actually, my first question is unplanned

because it's something that I just

because it's something that I just

learned right at the beginning of this event, which is--

learned right at the beginning of this event, which is--

David, would you like to tell us.

David, would you like to tell us.

So as soon as you came into the room,

So as soon as you came into the room,

you recognized these murals.

you recognized these murals.

And you asked, are these Thomas Hart Benton?

And you asked, are these Thomas Hart Benton?

And why did you ask that?

And why did you ask that?

What prompted you?

What prompted you?

DAVID FERRIERO: Because I recognized his style.

DAVID FERRIERO: Because I recognized his style.

And a wonderful story about Harry S. Truman Presidential

And a wonderful story about Harry S. Truman Presidential

Library, where we have a Thomas Hart Benton.

Library, where we have a Thomas Hart Benton.

And Benton painted it while Harry was still alive.

And Benton painted it while Harry was still alive.

And we have wonderful photographs

And we have wonderful photographs

in the Library of Benton on a ladder painting

in the Library of Benton on a ladder painting

next to Harry Truman on the ladder painting a cloud.

next to Harry Truman on the ladder painting a cloud.

[LAUGHTER]

[LAUGHTER]

And we also have wonderful photographs of Benton,

And we also have wonderful photographs of Benton,

after Harry left, painting over what Harry did.

after Harry left, painting over what Harry did.

[LAUGHTER]

[LAUGHTER]

SARA STEFANI: So essentially erasing history.

SARA STEFANI: So essentially erasing history.

DAVID FERRIERO: It's underneath.

DAVID FERRIERO: It's underneath.

It's underneath.

It's underneath.

It's still there.

It's still there.

SARA STEFANI: So my first question, essentially,

SARA STEFANI: So my first question, essentially,

was to ask you about being the archivist of the United

was to ask you about being the archivist of the United

States, which later I'm going to follow up

States, which later I'm going to follow up

to ask you to explain to the audience what a Presidential

to ask you to explain to the audience what a Presidential

Library is.

Library is.

But first let me ask you-- just for our general crowd--

But first let me ask you-- just for our general crowd--

can you explain a little bit of what

can you explain a little bit of what

does it mean to be the archivist of the United States?

does it mean to be the archivist of the United States?

DAVID FERRIERO: A lot of things that they didn't tell me

DAVID FERRIERO: A lot of things that they didn't tell me

during the interview process.

during the interview process.

SARA STEFANI: Right.

SARA STEFANI: Right.

Or in library school, I'm assuming.

Or in library school, I'm assuming.

DAVID FERRIERO: Forget that.

DAVID FERRIERO: Forget that.

SARA STEFANI: Yeah, forget that.

SARA STEFANI: Yeah, forget that.

[LAUGHS]

[LAUGHS]

DAVID FERRIERO: Yeah.

DAVID FERRIERO: Yeah.

Right.

Right.

The Archivist of the United States

The Archivist of the United States

is responsible for overseeing the creation, management,

is responsible for overseeing the creation, management,

and access to the records created

and access to the records created

by the federal government.

by the federal government.

SARA STEFANI: OK.

SARA STEFANI: OK.

DAVID FERRIERO: To follow a prescribed set of laws, Federal

DAVID FERRIERO: To follow a prescribed set of laws, Federal

Records Act, Presidential Records

Records Act, Presidential Records

Act, that kind of lay down the law about how

Act, that kind of lay down the law about how

things should work.

things should work.

And provide access to the papers of the government in order

And provide access to the papers of the government in order

for the American people to hold their government

for the American people to hold their government

accountable for its actions and to learn from our past.

accountable for its actions and to learn from our past.

SARA STEFANI: OK.

SARA STEFANI: OK.

So how does one become the Archivist of the United States.

So how does one become the Archivist of the United States.

DAVID FERRIERO: Well there was this ad in the New York Times.

DAVID FERRIERO: Well there was this ad in the New York Times.

[LAUGHTER]

[LAUGHTER]

SARA STEFANI: I was going to say, I'm an archivist

SARA STEFANI: I was going to say, I'm an archivist

and I want to be the Archivist of the United States someday.

and I want to be the Archivist of the United States someday.

So.

So.

Yeah, do I check Indeed or?

Yeah, do I check Indeed or?

DAVID FERRIERO: It was very strange.

DAVID FERRIERO: It was very strange.

I was at the New York Public Library

I was at the New York Public Library

and what looks like a very cushy job from this perspective.

and what looks like a very cushy job from this perspective.

I had a wonderful office on Fifth Avenue

I had a wonderful office on Fifth Avenue

with a lion outside my window.

with a lion outside my window.

SARA STEFANI: Ooh.

SARA STEFANI: Ooh.

DAVID FERRIERO: And a Friday afternoon in April of whatever,

DAVID FERRIERO: And a Friday afternoon in April of whatever,

2009.

2009.

My assistant came in and said the White

My assistant came in and said the White

House is on the phone.

House is on the phone.

So I got on the phone.

So I got on the phone.

SARA STEFANI: Was it April 1?

SARA STEFANI: Was it April 1?

DAVID FERRIERO: No, it wasn't.

DAVID FERRIERO: No, it wasn't.