Catherine Oseas Champion is head archivist at the Birmingham Public Library Department of Archives and Manuscripts and archivist for the City of Birmingham. She moved to B’ham from Las Vegas in 2009 with her now husband. When not at the library she is walking her dog, playing with her son, or trying to get back on stage (she’s a theater kid!).
LJCC: What got you interested in archival work and how did you end up being archivist for the City of Birmingham and the Birmingham Public Library?
CO: I went to Israel to become an archaeologist. I was relegated to the cataloging of the materials found on the dig and found that I rather enjoyed that aspect of the field. I looked at museum studies programs and library schools and chose libraries for the flexibility. I ended up at the University of Alabama for grad school and I am still here in Alabama.
You came here all the way from Las Vegas. How does being Jewish in B’ham differ from being Jewish in Vegas?
Aside from the lack of a good deli, I would say the experience is similar. Both cities have smaller, close-knit Jewish populations. But Las Vegas still doesn’t have a Jewish Community Center.
What’s the most Jewish thing about Vegas?
The comedy.
What’s a cool facet about being an archivist that most people don’t know?
Archiving starts now, with materials that are being produced currently. Most people don’t think their story is important because they aren’t a CEO or a politician. But their stories may be even more important because they can help create a holistic view of a culture, a society, a community.
What are some items in the Birmingham archives that our Jewish readers might find interesting?
The old photos of the synagogues are really beautiful.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I like connecting with people and organizations to ensure that their stories last as long as possible and are accessible to as many people as possible. I like being there for the “Aha!” moments of the donor and then again for the researcher.
So do you enjoy reading only really old books?
I prefer to listen to audio books these days. I can multi-task that way!
If you could have taken a different career path, what might it have been?
My father wanted me to be a lawyer. Specifically, he wanted me to be a political speech writer. If I could go back, I would be a doctor.
Cats or dogs?
This is a rude question and I refuse to answer. [editor’s note: Catherine owns both]
And, finally, in the spirit of Hanukkah… applesauce or sour cream?
Both, of course.