National Zoological Park keeper holds an echidna, also known as a spiny anteater, 1903, by E.F. Keller, SIA RU000095, SIA_000095_B46_F02_013.

Link Love: a weekly post with links to interesting videos and stories about archival issues, technology and culture, and Washington D.C. and American history.

The challenges of imaging the shiny surfaces of optical discs including CDs and DVDs.

Dr. Melanie McField is the founding director of the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, a collaborative, international conservation program of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, focused on improving the health of the Mesoamerian Reef, since 2006. She leads a team that aims to create reports that measure the health of the region. #Groundbreaker

Meet some of the women who have managed aspects of the Smithsonian since the 1850s.        

Rotunda of the United States National Museum Natural History Building, now known as National Museum of Natural History, 1913.

Link Love: a weekly post with links to interesting videos and stories about archival issues, technology and culture, and Washington D.C. and American history.

While digitizing the collection of Smithsonian entomologist Doris Holmes Blake, I discovered a treasure trove of correspondence that sheds light about growing up as a young woman in the mid-20^th century and the story of an intimate mother-daughter relationship.

Dr. Valerie Fletcher joined the research staff at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in 1978 and was promoted to a curatorial role in 1984. Fletcher worked as an Assistant and Associate Curator, 1984–92, Curator of Sculpture, 1992–2005, and Senior Curator, 2005–16. In retirement, Fletcher continues her research at the Museum as Senior Curator Emerita. #Groundbreaker

Exploring the career, commitment, and mentorship of Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute administrative powerhouse Adela Gómez.