Elizabeth Joffrion’s Enduring Gift to Western Libraries
As Director of Archives and Special Collections at Western Libraries, Elizabeth "Beth" Joffrion has spent her life safeguarding cultural memory. With a planned estate gift, she is ensuring that the next generation of archivists will be prepared to continue this vital work — expanding access, telling untold stories, and preserving the past for future generations.
Beth recently documented a future gift that will establish a fund supporting student internships and temporary positions within Archives and Special Collections. Designed to provide hands-on experience and early-career pathways into the archival profession, the gift is both a personal legacy and a strategic investment in the future of the field.
"I've been lucky to spend my career doing work that matters — not just to me, but to the broader community," Beth says. "I want others to have that same opportunity."
A Career Built on Preservation and Access
Beth's professional journey began with a deep passion for public service, history, and cultural heritage. Over three decades, she has held leadership and curatorial roles at the National Archives, the Smithsonian Institution, the Historic New Orleans Collection, and the North Carolina State Archives. She also served as a Senior Program Officer at the National Endowment for the Humanities, where she supported projects that preserved significant historical collections across the country.
Since joining Western in 2010, Beth has led transformative efforts to expand access to archival collections, build regional partnerships, and document underrepresented histories. Under her direction, Western Libraries' Archives and Special Collections — encompassing Special Collections, the University Archives and Records Center, and the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies — has become a nationally recognized leader in community-based archiving and collaborative stewardship.
"Archives aren't just about preserving documents," Beth explains. "They're about connecting people to their own histories, empowering students and communities to see themselves as part of the story."
Removing Barriers, Building Futures
Throughout her career, Beth has seen the impact of early archival experience on students' lives. Internships and paid positions offer not only valuable training but also essential access for students who lack traditional professional networks or the financial ability to work unpaid roles.
Her planned gift will establish an expendable fund that supports temporary staff and student interns in Archives and Special Collections — offering practical opportunities for those considering a career in libraries, archives, or museums.
"There are so many talented students who just need someone to take a chance on them," Beth says. "If I can help even a few get started, I'll feel I've made a meaningful contribution."
A Legacy of Leadership
In 2024, Beth was named a Fellow of the Society of American Archivists — one of the profession's highest honors — in recognition of her leadership, scholarship, and service. Her research and teaching have shaped national conversations around archival access, Native American archival protocols, and climate change's impact on cultural heritage.
"Beth's commitment to the future of her profession is both inspiring and deeply meaningful," says Matt Hammatt, Senior Director for Planned Giving at Western. "Her estate gift reflects the best of what it means to leave a legacy — one that will open doors for students, support Western's mission, and preserve access to history for generations to come."
Beth sees her gift not just as a capstone to her career, but as a continuation of the values that have guided her from the beginning.
"Western has been an important part of my life," she says. "It's where I've done some of my most meaningful work. Making this gift feels like a natural extension of that commitment."
With this decision, Beth joins a growing community of faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who are shaping Western's future through planned giving. Her generosity ensures that Western Libraries — and the people entrusted with its care — will continue to connect the past to the present for years to come.
