Rachel Vagts is the Manager of Special Collections and Special Collections at the Denver Public Library
In April 2019, Rachel joined the Denver Public Library as the Manager of Special Collections and Digital Archives. In that role, she oversees the Western History and Genealogy Department and Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library.
Rachel previously served as the head of Special Collections and Archives in Hutchins Library at Berea College. Working with collections that document the rich and unique history of Berea College and the Appalachian region, she lead projects to implement a new collection management system and the migration of Berea's sizable digital collections into a new access and digital preservation platform.
Rachel previously served as College Archivist at Luther College. During her tenure she developed the college's records management program and continued to develop the archival collection at the college. She was a member of the college's Collections Committee. which oversees the five special collections at the college and served on the college's Human Subject Review Board.
In the summer of 2012, Luther College was awarded a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) to host the Archives Leadership Institute. Rachel served as Director of the Institute, held at Luther College during June 2013 - 2015 and was awarded a second grant to direct the program at Berea College from 2016-2018. A leadership program for emerging leaders in the archival profession, ALI includes a week-long intensive leadership program as well as year-long activities that include practicum projects, online communities and a mentorship experience. During her time as director, 150 participants attended the Leadership Institute.
Rachel previously served as the head of Special Collections and Archives in Hutchins Library at Berea College. Working with collections that document the rich and unique history of Berea College and the Appalachian region, she lead projects to implement a new collection management system and the migration of Berea's sizable digital collections into a new access and digital preservation platform.
Rachel previously served as College Archivist at Luther College. During her tenure she developed the college's records management program and continued to develop the archival collection at the college. She was a member of the college's Collections Committee. which oversees the five special collections at the college and served on the college's Human Subject Review Board.
In the summer of 2012, Luther College was awarded a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) to host the Archives Leadership Institute. Rachel served as Director of the Institute, held at Luther College during June 2013 - 2015 and was awarded a second grant to direct the program at Berea College from 2016-2018. A leadership program for emerging leaders in the archival profession, ALI includes a week-long intensive leadership program as well as year-long activities that include practicum projects, online communities and a mentorship experience. During her time as director, 150 participants attended the Leadership Institute.
Rachel is a member of the Society of Rocky Mountain Archivists, the Midwest Archives Conference and the Society of American Archivists. She was elected a Distinguished Fellow of the Society of American Archivists in 2018 and served as the 75th president of the Society (2020-21). She previously served on the Iowa and Kentucky State Historical Records Advisory Boards.