Biography

Lara Friedman-Shedlov joined the University of Minnesota Libraries' Archives and Special Collections Department in 2002 as Special Projects and later Description and Access Archivist for the Kautz Family YMCA Archives. Building on their leadership in the implementation of an electronic records program for the department, they were appointed the Libraries' first Digital Records Archivist in 2020. Lara graduated from Vassar College with a degree in religion and earned a masters in information and library studies at the University of Michigan. Before coming to the University of Minnesota, Lara worked as an archivist at the Minnesota Historical Society. They were among the first to earn the Society of American Archivists' Digital Archives Specialist certification. Lara is also a certified instructor of Scottish country dancing, a certified personal trainer, and holds state and national records in powerlifting.