Kelly Haydon

Work Title and Work Place

• Multimedia Archivist (Freelance), Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies as an Adjunct Lecturer

Academic Statement

I’m a multimedia archivist who specializes in audiovisual digitization, specifically audio and videotape. I’ve worked as both a technician and a project planner, and I focus on making complex technology easier to understand and use. My goal is to break down digitization workflows so they’re accessible, adaptable, and transparent, whether someone is working in a large institution or a small community archive.

I believe in hands-on learning, and I care about the ethics behind the work. I try to create spaces where people can build technical confidence, ask questions, and learn in ways that feel practical and grounded. In teaching, documentation, and project design, I emphasize clarity, care, and collaboration.

I’m also interested in how AI is shaping the GLAM field. I think it’s important to approach new tools with both curiosity and caution, keeping long-term access, labor, and equity in mind. I want students and colleagues to feel equipped to evaluate technologies critically, not just use them.

Across my work, I come back to the same core ideas: demystifying systems, prioritizing care, and supporting others in learning the skills they need. I value frameworks that are holistic and flexible enough to meet people where they are. My practice is grounded in respect for both the materials and the people who work with them