As my time as Instruction and Engagement Fellow comes to a close, it is hard not to feel a little melancholic. Being given the opportunity to work at the Clark in this capacity has completely changed my final year in graduate school for the better. When I approached this fellowship in September, I was not expecting how completely I would be immersed in the reality of how special collections function as spaces of teaching, access, and connection. Every day was a learning experience with exciting potential.
Working alongside the librarians and staff at the Clark was a highlight in itself. Their generosity, expertise, and genuine care for both the collections and the people using them set a standard I will carry forward. I also learned a great deal from the patrons, scholars, and students I worked with whose curiosity and engagement brought the materials to life in unexpected ways. I especially enjoyed supporting class visits and watching students encounter these materials for the first time. Those moments of discovery made clear the impact of special collections instruction on the education of students.
Through my time as a fellow, I also gained a stronger sense of the care and coordination that happens behind the scenes. Operating behind the curtain taught me that access is something actively created, not assumed, and that even small interactions can shape how welcoming and usable a space feels.
More than anything, my time at the Clark clarified what I want to do moving forward. It reinforced my interest in instruction and engagement work and showed me how impactful it can be when collections are made approachable and meaningful to a wide range of users. While I will miss the work that made this year so meaningful, I am leaving this role with a deep sense of gratitude for the experience and a clearer understanding of the kind of work I hope to continue pursuing.
-Bailey Hart, Instruction and Engagement Fellow 2025–26, UCLA William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
