Heather Potter has been named the Assistant Director of the South Caroliniana Library. A newly created position, the Assistant Director leads the curatorial team, liaises with donors, and seeks out new archival collections and published materials that enhance the library’s collections in accordance with the collections policy. Potter, who began her role in mid-February, hopes to utilize her expertise to aid the South Caroliniana Library in its mission of connecting the people of the state to their shared cultural heritage and history.
“What especially excites me about the Caroliniana is the depth and uniqueness of its collections,” she says. “It serves as a steward of South Carolina’s history and culture.”
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Potter earned a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History from Washburn University in Kansas and a Master of Library Science from Indiana University Bloomington, where she specialized in archives and archival management.
Potter’s interest in Special Collections began in graduate school with hands-on experience in Indiana University’s Photograph Archives. There she developed a diverse and thorough knowledge of the lifespan of archival collections through her work cataloguing photos, assisting with film collections, and helping digitize Liberian President William V.S. Tubman’s photograph collection.
Potter moves into the Assistant Directorship from her previous role as the Curator of Manuscripts at the Filson Historical Society in Louisville, Kentucky. She brings over fifteen years of experience in Special Collections to the South Caroliniana Library, with a focus on archival stewardship, access, and community engagement. She has specific expertise in acquisitions, collection development, and donor relations, which she hopes to use to continue to enrich and grow South Caroliniana’s collections.
"Heather intuitively understands both donors' interests and the Library's collection development needs,” says Associate Dean of Special Collections and Director of the South Caroliniana Library Nathan Saunders. “That intuition, combined with her rich experience, can only improve the culture and depth of our Library."
A job as the Kentucky Folklife Project Archivist at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort brought Potter to Kentucky, where she has lived for the past thirteen years. After more than a decade of working in historical societies, Potter is ready to make the comeback to university life.
“Libraries are really the intellectual hub of campus life, and it feels good to be a part of that again,” says Potter. “Equally important to me is the opportunity to collaborate with a team of experienced senior faculty that have been preserving South Carolina’s history for decades.”
“We are pleased to welcome Heather Potter to the South Caroliniana and to USC. Her previous experience at the Filson in Louisville is great preparation for her new role here, and we are excited to see what she’ll do in this new role,” says Dean of Libraries David Banush.
The South Caroliniana Library is uniquely positioned to serve both the campus community and the city and state beyond it, providing a connection to a cultural history that is renowned for its breadth and scope. Potter says she is excited about joining this legacy of preservation and scholarship: “I am committed to connecting researchers and the community with Caroliniana’s resources and supporting its mission by expanding access, strengthening partnerships, and cultivating well-maintained, dynamic collections that serve both the university and the broader community.”