rand-and-maria


Rand Boyd and Maria Yanez of the Frank Mt. Pleasant Special Collections and Archives.



This past Saturday, two of our very own from the Leatherby Libraries visited the Doheny Memorial Library on the USC University Park Campus for the
9th-Annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar
. Rand Boyd, Coordinator of the
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives
, and Maria Yanez, Special Collections and Archives Librarian, represented Chapman University exploring the history of Los Angeles and Southern California at this collaborative conference. “Presented by L.A. as Subject and the USC Libraries … more than 70 archives [were] represented at this event, which is free and open to the public” (
laassubject.org
).

Approximately thirty guests visited the Frank Mt. Peasant library’s booth. Both librarians prepared extensively for their first time participating in the event. There were two phases to the preparation process as Boyd recalled. “The first involved Maria and I choosing materials from the archives that were transportable and told the story of California Christian College and later Chapman College.” Photographs, recruiting materials, and regalia from the Los Angeles campus time period were among the many diverse materials brought to the bazaar. Yanez described that among this collection, “a green beanie worn by freshman in 1932, and a Cal-Christian pennant” along with other pieces were included.

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Leatherby Libraries also offered other giveaways at their booth including water bottles and highlighters which were very popular among visitors. Boyd continued saying, “the second phase involved me preparing a 50 minute talk on
Huell Howser
and his relationship with Los Angeles that I presented as part of their programming. I used a variety of video clips and photos from his papers to illustrate certain themes … and how they relate back to his personal history and his experiences on moving to Los Angeles.”

A successful experience, the
L.A. Archives Bazaar
allowed Boyd and Yanez to simultaneously spread awareness about the Leatherby Libraries and Chapman University while also collaborating with other archivists and learning about other exhibits, collections and archives. Looking forward, Rand Boyd confirmed that the library will be gladly taking part in the convention again next year. “Yes, I think that we will continue to attend. It is a good forum to get the library’s message out there and let people [know more] about Chapman University…and what we have to offer.”