Biography
Lara Friedman-Shedlov joined the University of Minnesota Libraries' Archives and Special Collections Department in 2002 as special projects archivist for the Kautz Family YMCA Archives. In this position, she is responsible for improving access to the materials for researchers by developing and implementing descriptive tools. She was instrumental in the implementation of Encoded Archival Description (EAD), an international standard for structuring the description of archival collections that facilitates online discovery and sharing of this information. She has conducted training on implementing EAD for fellow staff and presented on the process at a regional conference. She currently serves on a Libraries advisory committee which is working on strategies for effective delivery of archival finding aids.
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. She is also a certified instructor of Scottish country dancing and teaches locally for the Twin Cities branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
