May 07, 2019

Faces of PC: Russell Franks, librarian and archivist

Russell Franks, librarian and archivist
Russell Franks, librarian and archivist

BY CHARLES C. JOYCE

Russell Franks has served Providence College as its librarian for special and archival collections since 2008, overseeing PC’s archives in Phillips Memorial Library. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in library science from the University of Rhode Island.

WHY ARCHIVES? I’ve always been interested in history. Growing up in western Pennsylvania where there is lots of pre-revolutionary history, I loved exploring the local historical landmarks as a kid and have always been fascinated with old things.

WHAT’S IT REALLY LIKE? Some days are routine, but you never know who’s going to walk through the door. We get requests from out of the blue. Between my associate (Robin Rancourt) and I, we are always discovering all sorts of interesting tidbits and trivia-type information about the College’s history. I like helping people, and when you can find something and present it to them in reasonable time, it’s very satisfying. It’s really a joy when a member from a family who donated one of our special collections comes in and asks to look at the collection.

#1 LABOR OF LOVE: Putting together exhibits is very fulfilling. It allows my creativity to come through. One of my favorites was the centennial exhibit two years ago, when we added six exhibit cases in the library.

FAVORITE DOCUMENTS: We have these 18th century marriage records from the Philippines, in Spanish. They’re on parchment paper. I have no idea how we got them.

Another favorite is a series of children’s adventure books from the 1890s to the 1930s. They’re similar to the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books. The covers are embossed with illustrations, have sharp lettering, and are nicely bound. They’re bookshop window-type stuff.

OFF THE JOB: Prior to coming to Providence College, I worked as a helicopter pilot. I’ve done charter work, flew radio traffic reporters in several major cities, flew for utility companies inspecting pipelines and power lines, and have flown in the Gulf of Mexico supporting the oil platforms. I also worked out of Guam for eight years with the international tuna fishing fleets on the high seas in the Pacific. I’d fly all day, weather permitting, and be at sea up to eight months, living onboard the ship.

I love photography, especially infrared photography and employing 19th century photographic methods, such as the wet plate collodion process, to create images.

Thumbnail for Russell M. Franks, Infrared, Campus Scenes
Thumbnail for Russell M. Franks, Infrared, Campus Scenes
Thumbnail for Russell M. Franks, Infrared, Campus Scenes
Thumbnail for Russell M. Franks, Infrared, Campus Scenes
Thumbnail for Russell M. Franks, Infrared, Campus Scenes
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