Preserving Science Through the Eyes of an NBL&A Intern
Zoe Adams is driven by a love of thoughtful, detail-oriented work. It’s a passion that led her to archives and, ultimately, to a transformative internship at AIP’s Niels Bohr Library & Archives (NBLA).
At the NBLA, Zoe is combining her love of history with her passion for the sciences. As part of her internship, she’s processing the papers of Gloria Lubkin, a pioneering physicist and longtime editor of Physics Today. The project is part of a larger initiative, supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, to highlight the often-overlooked contributions of women in the physical sciences.
“This project is so important because it draws attention to the vital role women like Gloria Lubkin played in shaping the field,” Zoe shared. “By organizing and describing these materials, we’re making it possible for researchers, historians, and scientists to rediscover their stories.”
The work is meticulous and meaningful. Every folder labeled and document described helps future researchers uncover connections and insights that might otherwise remain hidden. It’s a process that requires both care, vision, and understanding not just what’s in the collection, but who might need it decades from now.
Funding for internships like Zoe’s plays a crucial role in cultivating the next generation of information professionals. “This experience has given me hands-on training in the work I want to do,” she said. “It’s helped me build the skills I’ll need to pursue a career preserving and providing access to history.”
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, interns like Zoe gain experience shaping how the stories of science are remembered and shared. Your support helps preserve not only scientific discoveries, but also the people, gatherings, and collaborations that bring them to life. Through projects like this, the NBLA continues to shine a light on the histories that deserve to be remembered.
