Since joining the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement in 2023, Liz Setterberg has been on a mission to preserve Utah’s cultural treasures. As Archivist and Public Art Specialist for the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, she blends her expertise in geography and archival studies with a passion for diversity and oral histories. This year, she stepped into the role of ARO for the division, tackling the challenge of streamlining records management and making the division’s collections more accessible.

What kind of records do you manage at your job?

My role involves handling a broad range of materials that capture the organization’s history and operations—everything from physical files to digital documents. I organize records to keep them accessible and ensure they follow retention schedules. Recently, I led a project to reorganize our shared G-Drive, making it easier for staff across departments to find what they need.

We heard you worked on a project with the Folk Arts Program archive recently. Can you tell us about it?

Absolutely! Back in 2010, the Utah State Archives accepted the Folk Arts Program collection from the Chase Home Museum, but there wasn’t much information about what the collection actually contained. In 2023, we partnered with State Archives staff to create a plan to inventory the collection and migrate old catalog data into a new system that would make the materials easier to find.

We held weekly in-person research meetings to go through the boxes, cataloging the contents to gain better intellectual control over the collection. I then reorganized the materials by project to make searching and discovery more intuitive. Now, I’m working with State Archives staff to create an online finding aid, which will make the collection much more accessible to the public.

The Division of Arts and Museums recently had a Shred Day. Can you tell us what that is and how it went?

Every year, we set aside one day as “Shred Day,” giving staff the opportunity to review and organize older documents while ensuring records are managed appropriately according to retention schedules. This year, we held the event on July 30th. Throughout the day, employees brought in files to decide whether they should be stored, archived, or securely shredded. Maren Peterson from the State Archives joined us to offer guidance and answer questions, which helped the day run smoothly.

Do you have any advice for new Records Officers?

I’d encourage new Records Officers to take full advantage of the network of colleagues—don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or uncertainties. There are plenty of resources available, and the virtual trainings offered by the State Archives are a great way to learn and stay up to date.