Biography/History

Helen Willa Samuels (1943- ) received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College (Flushing, NY) in 1964 and a Master of Library Science degree from Simmons College (Boston, MA) in 1965. Samuels was the Music Specialist at the Brookline, Massachusetts Public Library from 1965 to 1967 and Music Librarian at Radcliffe College/Harvard University from 1967 to 1972. Her archival career began at the University of Cincinnati where she held the posts of Assistant Archivist (1972 to 1973) and Head of Special Collections (1973 to 1977). Samuels then moved to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she held the title of Institute Archivist and Head of Special Collections from 1977 to 1997. In 1997 she became Special Assistant to the Provost at MIT, where she worked in research and writing for numerous campus policy and information issues, until her retirement in 2006. Samuels' important publications in archival professional literature examine the documentation of science and technology, and institutions of higher education. Her writings introduce the use of documentation strategy and institutional functional analysis as methods to improve appraisal and management of the records in modern society, and to improve archival practice. Key articles in the American Archivist include "Who Controls the Past?" and "The Roots of 128: A Hypothetical Documentation Strategy". Monographs and guides include Processing Manual for the Institute Archives and Special Collections, MIT Libraries(with Karen T. Lynch, 1981); Appraising the Records of Science and Technology: A Guide (co-authored with Joan K. Haas and Barbara Trippel Simmons); and Varsity Letters: Documenting Modern Colleges and Universities (1992), which received the Society of American Archivists' Waldo Gifford Leland Award in 1993.

Samuels' professional activities include membership and active leadership in numerous professional organizations, including the International Council on Archives, the Society of American Archivists, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, and the New England Archivists. Specifically, Samuels served on:

• International Council on Archives, Working Group for Science and Technology, 1988-1992
• Society of American Archivists
  • College and University Archives Committee, Chair, 1979-1982
  • Goals and Priorities Task Force, 1980-1986
  • National Historical Publications and Records Commission (SAA Representative), 1983-1989
  • Program Committee, 1980 and 1982
• New England Archivists
  • President, 1982-1983
  • Education Committee, Chair, 1978-1980
• National Endowment for the Humanities, Reviewer and Panel Member, 1978-1997
• National Science Foundation, Reviewer, 1980-1995

Her honors include the Society of American Archivists' Fellowship (1983) and the Waldo Gifford Leland Award (1993), and the Distinguished Service Award from the New England Archivists (1995).

Samuels used the married surname Slotkin in the 1980s; records within the collection reflect the use of both surnames.