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German studies alumna uses interdisciplinary passions for work in moving image archives

When Erin Palombi �10 arrived at ������˾�� as a first-year student, she knew she loved movies, but her film classes at ������˾�� introduced her to a discipline that she would continue to pursue after graduation and beyond. While at ������˾��, Palombi majored in German studies and minored in film studies. As a moving image archives technician in the Library of Congress, Palombi relies on her interdisciplinary education every day.����

While at ������˾��, Palombi involved herself across campus. She took as many art classes as she could fit into her schedule, sang with the ������˾�� chorus, lived in the organic farming house, and studied abroad in Freiburg, Germany for a full year. �A liberal arts education allowed me to get involved with different groups in and outside of academia. I was able to pursue a German degree while also exploring interests in art, film, music, and nature,� she shared. �The combination of experiences helped paint a fuller picture of the world for me.���

Elements of her ������˾�� education still impact her work, including her senior Independent Study Project, �I am currently co-writing a book for the Library of Congress about a foundational film collection,� Palombi shared. �My I.S. experience was a valuable window into the writer-editor relationship. It gave me the freedom to pull on the threads that interested me and taught me how to own my ideas.���

Her background in film studies at ������˾�� prepared Palombi to pursue a post graduate degree. �My film classes gave me a foundation of knowledge that I built on in grad school and continue to reference today,� Palombi said.��

After attending graduate school and receiving a master�s degree in film and media preservation, Palombi began a career working with moving images. She currently works as an archives technician working with films and descriptive materials related to films at the Library of Congress. �On the best days, I get to work with German collection items or translate German scripts, subtitles, or intertitles,� Palombi said.��

Her daily responsibilities focus on processing collections: inspecting, identifying, and organizing materials. She has worked with a variety of moving image collections including film and video TV series, century-old copyright deposits, 70 mm feature films, and silent-era nitrate. �I enjoy being able to step away from my computer and interact with physical objects�sometimes in a 38-degree vault!� Palombi shared, noting that the temperature of the vault helps to preserve film. ��

Palombi�s passion for film, which blossomed during her time at ������˾��, is evident in her work at the moving image archive. �I see the power of moving images, especially as links to the past. Anyone who treasures a home movie collection or who has memorized a favorite film can relate to that idea. I feel lucky to be a custodian of the country�s moving image heritage,� she said.��

Posted in Alumni, Homepage Featured on December 2, 2024.