We’re excited to welcome Katie McGirt to the Utah State Archives! As our newest Archivist, she brings a strong library background, a thoughtful approach to records, and a curiosity for the stories found in Utah’s government documents. Katie joins the processing team, where she’ll work closely with records from state agencies and help prepare them for long-term preservation and access. Get to know Katie in her own words:

What is your job title and what types of things will you work on?
My job title is Archivist I, and my work mainly focuses on processing archival materials from Utah government agencies. This includes identifying, describing, rehousing, and scheduling records in accordance with State Archives policies, as well as maintaining state retention schedules.

What is your background, and how did it lead you to working at the State Archives?
My background is primarily in libraries. I previously worked at the Salt Lake City Public Library, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in Library and Information Science. While earning my degree, I worked in an academic library archive and discovered that I really enjoyed processing historical materials. When the Archivist I position opened up, it felt like a perfect fit for both my skills and interests.

What are you most excited about your new job?
I’ve lived in Utah my entire life, so I’m excited to learn new things about the state’s history. Even in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve already discovered things I didn’t know about Utah and encountered records that offer a deeper understanding of parts of the state’s history I was already familiar with. There’s not a document that isn’t fascinating in some way — even routine court records about water disputes have interesting stories between the lines.

Any special hobbies or talents you’d like to share?
I enjoy a lot of fiber arts, including knitting, crochet, sewing, and hooked rugs. I’m also planning to teach myself either tatting or bobbin lace at some point, so stay tuned. I also juggle, and I’ve been known to juggle lit torches in the past.

We’re thrilled to have Katie on the team and look forward to the care and creativity she brings to her work at the Archives.