Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
How do archives preserve history?
University of Idaho Library's Special Collections and Archives protects Idaho's history and primary sources while making them accessible to students, researchers and the public.
In this episode of The Vandal Theory, Dulce Kersting-Lark, head of Special Collections and Archives at University of Idaho Library, explains how archivists collect, preserve and provide access to historical records that document the university, the state of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.
You'll learn:
• What you'll find in University of Idaho Library's Special Collections and Archives
• How archivists preserve historical records and primary sources
• Why archives are essential for understanding history
• How primary sources help researchers, students and communities learn about the past
• How the America250 initiative encourages people to explore their local history
• How to access archives, libraries and historical societies in your own community
As the United States commemorates America250, this conversation explores how preserving history supports University of Idaho's land-grant mission of education, public service and community engagement.
Chapters
0:00 Why does history matter?
01:01 Meet Dulce Kersting-Lark
01:48 Inside Special Collections and Archives
03:54 Who can use the archives?
05:06 Why archivists love America250
06:56 What history can teach us today
Learn more
• Explore University of Idaho: https://www.uidaho.edu/about
• Listen to more episodes of The Vandal Theory: https://uidaho.edu/newsroom/the-vandal-theory
• Learn more about University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives: https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/special-collections/
• Learn more about America250: america250.org
#UniversityOfIdaho #UniversityOfIdahoLibrary #SpecialCollections #Archives #PrimarySources #History #America250 #LandGrantUniversity #Idaho #TheVandalTheory
How do archives preserve history?
University of Idaho Library's Special Collections and Archives protects Idaho's history and primary sources while making them accessible to students, researchers and the public.
In this episode of The Vandal Theory, Dulce Kersting-Lark, head of Special Collections and Archives at University of Idaho Library, explains how archivists collect, preserve and provide access to historical records that document the university, the state of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.
You'll learn:
• What you'll find in University of Idaho Library's Special Collections and Archives
• How archivists preserve historical records and primary sources
• Why archives are essential for understanding history
• How primary sources help researchers, students and communities learn about the past
• How the America250 initiative encourages people to explore their local history
• How to access archives, libraries and historical societies in your own community
As the United States commemorates America250, this conversation explores how preserving history supports University of Idaho's land-grant mission of education, public service and community engagement.
Chapters
0:00 Why does history matter?
01:01 Meet Dulce Kersting-Lark
01:48 Inside Special Collections and Archives
03:54 Who can use the archives?
05:06 Why archivists love America250
06:56 What history can teach us today
Learn more
• Explore University of Idaho: https://www.uidaho.edu/about
• Listen to more episodes of The Vandal Theory: https://uidaho.edu/newsroom/the-vandal-theory
• Learn more about University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives: https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/special-collections/
• Learn more about America250: america250.org
#UniversityOfIdaho #UniversityOfIdahoLibrary #SpecialCollections #Archives #PrimarySources #History #America250 #LandGrantUniversity #Idaho #TheVandalTheory
