Tell the story of your archives and handle media requests like a pro. From journalists who want to plumb the depths of your collections to filmmakers who think your building is an ideal location for their next masterpiece, working with the media offers a wealth of potential benefits. Maximize media opportunities and leverage them in your favor by anticipating and planning for your ultimate close up.

Daniel J. Linke has worked in Special Collections at the Princeton University Library for more than twenty-five years, first serving as the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library's assistant archivist for technical services. In 2002, he became the university archivist and curator of the Public Policy Papers, overseeing overall operations of the Mudd Library, including acquisitions, donor relations, public services, technical services, records management, fundraising, outreach, building operations, and staff supervision. From April 2019-March 2020, he served as the Interim Associate University Librarian for Special Collections. He has appeared in two university-produced videos, assisted several documentary filmmakers, and spoken with dozens of journalists. In addition, he has written press releases for new acquisitions, exhibitions, and digital initiatives, and collaborated with both the Library and the University Communications offices on a wide variety of media challenges.

Travis H. Williams has worked professionally in theater, film, and television for more than twenty-five years, picking up various awards for acting and directing along the way. Some may remember him for his appearances at the Society of American Archivists Annual Meetings as a featured presenter during the Finding Aid to My Soul storytelling event (2019) and as one of the improv performers in Raiders of the Lost Archive (2014). Others may have forgotten that his photography has graced the cover of Spectrum, the official magazine of the American Association of Law Libraries, and that he was honored as a "Social Media Guru" by LOUIS, the Louisiana Library Consortium. His film work is available to view at www.hedgespictures.com. Currently, he serves as the archivist and special collections librarian at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas.

Media Challenges for Archivists • 9
Formulating a Policy: Before the Film Crew Shows Up • 12
Before the Camera Starts Rolling: Points to Discuss with the Journalist or Filmmaker • 15
Preparing for the Day of the Shoot: The Logistics of a Film Crew • 18
Preparing for an Interview, or “How I Learned to Stop Stuttering and Love the Camera” • 20
On-Camera Interview Tips • 21
That’s a Wrap! Now What? • 24

Appendices
Appendix A: Case Studies • 27
JFK and Mad Men • 27
Lincoln University and International Copyright • 28
Lessons from the Barnes Foundation Archives • 30
Titanic and the Independence Seaport Museum • 32
“The Special Collections Equivalent of a Stampede at a Rock Concert” • 34
The Hospitality Archives and Hilton Collection Work with AMC’s Mad Men • 36
Appendix B: Additional Readings • 39
Appendix C: Creating a Media Policy • 42