Tim Johnson, Curator of Special Collections & Rare Books at the Elmer L. Andersen Library, presented on the history and role of archives. Archives have existed for thousands of years, evolving from ancient collections like cuneiform tablets and papyri to modern institutions. The archivist's role is to organize, preserve, and provide access to historically significant materials to support research and education. The Andersen Library houses several archival collections, including those focused on children's literature, university history, manuscripts, and specific subject areas.