Congratulations to Christina Wood and Meg Wang!
The archivist and cataloger for the Rees-Jones Library of the American West have been named. The individual who will fulfill the archivist role for the new library on the Hilltop is DeGolyer’s own Christina Wood, and Meg Wang will serve as the cataloger of the Rees-Jones Collection. Christina and Meg are vital to the task of preparing the collection to be accessible for research when the library opens in 2027 – and as items continue to be acquired, their job becomes more and more important.
“The Rees-Jones Library is comprehensive in its range, ranking by itself as one of the great Western collections in the country, in institutional or private hands. Combined with the DeGolyer, the Rees-Jones Library will only strengthen SMU’s standing as an academic center for the study of Western history,” according to Russell L. Martin III, director of DeGolyer Library. The processing of this vast collection of treasures will be facilitated by the work of Christina and Meg.
Introducing the archivist
Christina, the head of public services at DeGolyer Library for the last six years, brings to the role notable experience working with archival materials, as she has worked with the Iowa Women’s Archives at the University of Iowa, as well as the Ernest Hemingway Legacy Initiative in Sun Valley, Idaho. At DeGolyer Library, Christina showcased the holdings of the library while streamlining the research process for all who encountered the library’s materials. Christina worked extensively to curate exhibits in both physical and digital spaces, created finding aids and research guides for easier access to the materials, and offered expert assistance to researchers in DeGolyer’s reading room as they used the library’s rare books and materials. Christina will be temporarily replaced in the DeGolyer reading room by Abby May, a current intern planning to enroll in library school this summer.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to accession, process, and share the incredible Rees-Jones Collection. This world-class collection will make SMU Libraries a top destination for studying the American West, and I can’t wait to help make it accessible to students, researchers, and the public,” says Christina.
Meet Meg, Rees-Jones Library cataloger
Meg Wang is an academic librarian with a strong background in museum conservation, specializing in rare books and historical artifacts. Trained as a conservator, Meg has worked at renowned institutions such as the British Museum, the Museum of London, the Louvre, and the National Palace Museum in Taipei, contributing to her passion for preserving history and library work. Now focused on rare books, Meg combines expertise in conservation with a love for safeguarding the stories and knowledge of the past.
“From museums to rare book libraries, my journey as a conservator and cataloger has been shaped by a deep respect for history. Every rare book I handle is a connection to the past; in cataloging rare books, I’m not just organizing them but ensuring they are preserved and accessible for generations to come,” says Meg.
Congratulations to Christina and Meg! As we look ahead to the new Rees-Jones Library of the American West, there seems to be one direction in which to look – in Russell Martin’s words, “Westward, ho!”