Staff

Ohio History Connection Staff

David McDevitt, Project Assistant, provides support for the National Digital Newspaper Program grant, which includes preparing microfilm for digitization, performing quality review on digital deliverables, researching and writing newspaper essays, and promoting the project. He received his undergraduate degree in history from Miami University and his master’s degree in library science from Kent State University. Prior to his current role, he worked at the Ohio History Center as an intern and subsequently as the Project Archivist for the Warren G. Harding collections. Some of his hobbies include playing chess, following sports, watching western films, and maintaining his Duolingo streak.

Lauren Kennedy, Digital Projects Coordinator, manages newspaper digitization, original microfilming and microfilm duplication projects; trains and supports Ohio Memory partners; and coordinates short and long-term digitization projects. She has a BA in history from The Ohio State University, and an MA degree in public history from Temple University. She has a passion for history and creating accessibility in the field and has worked closely on the Revolutionary City project as it prepares Philadelphia for the 250th. Beyond history, Lauren’s interests include reading, crafting, and hiking/swimming with her dog, Bernie!

Ashely Rodriguez, Digital Projects Coordinator, manages internal and external digitization requests; trains and supports Ohio Memory partners; and coordinates short and long-term digitization projects. Ashely has a BA in English from The Ohio State University and MLIS from Kent State University. She previously worked for Southwest Public Libraries as an Information Assistant. Ashely enjoys reading historical fiction and philosophy of pop culture, sewing, crafting, and table games.

Phil Sager, Systems Developer, works on Ohio Memory and and a number of other digital projects within the Ohio History Connection. He has a BA in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MLS from UW-Madison, and a Specialist Degree in Digital Libraries from Indiana University. He has been involved in numerous initiatives, including an online interactive tutorial for a virtual university, project development for Ohio Memory, the Ohio Digital Newspaper Program and general database development for the Ohio History Connection.

Jenni Salamon, Manager, Digital Services, oversees and administers Ohio Memory, including rights and reproductions, digitization and microfilming services; and management of Ohio History Connection’s collections catalogs. She also coordinates and provides outreach and training on digitization and related topics. She serves as a Community Engagement Center Representative for the Ohio Digital Network (DPLA). Jenni has a BA in English from Ohio University, an MLIS from Kent State University, and a Digital Archives Specialist Certificate from the Society of American Archivists. Jenni loves reading, dachshunds, crime TV and crafting.

Katy Scullin, Ohio Memory Program Coordinator, manages Ohio Memory program outreach; provides training and support for Ohio Memory partners; and coordinates short- and long-term digitization and metadata projects. She is an archivist passionate about expanding access to archival materials who has worn many archives-related hats throughout her career, most recently as the Special Collection Librarian at Marietta College. Katy has a BA in English from Wittenberg University and an MSI from the University of Michigan School of Information. Outside of work, Katy loves knitting, baking, and spoiling her pet bunny.  

Aimee Truitt, Catalog & Metadata Coordinator, plans for and supports catalog and discovery services as well as creates and manages Ohio Memory metadata. She has her MLIS from Kent State University, with a specialization in digitization and was previously employed at Columbus Metropolitan Library (Dublin Branch) where she worked as an Adult Services Librarian for 12 years. She has a passion for history and worked closely on the Dublin Memories Project and served on the board of the Dublin Historical Society, for 3 years. She and her husband Dan have a dog, Ellie, and cat, KitKat. Outside of history, Aimee’s interests include travel, running, reading, and playing music.

State Library of Ohio Staff

Shannon Kupfer-Trausch has been employed by the State Library of Ohio since 2007 and oversees digitization projects as well as being the library’s go-to for rare books. She holds a BA in History from The Ohio State University, as well as an MLIS and Post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Library Science from Kent State University.

Elissa Lawrence is a reference and cataloging librarian at the State Library of Ohio. Elissa harvests, archives and catalogs born-digital Ohio documents. She has a BS in Early Childhood Education from Ohio University and an MLIS from Kent State University.

Stephanie Michaels is a librarian at the State Library of Ohio. In addition to cataloging and helping patrons with research, Stephanie contributes posts to the Ohio Memory blog. She has a BA and BS from Miami University and an MLIS from Kent State University.