Red Hawk Spotlight: Paul Martinez, Librarian and Archivist
Posted in: Red Hawk Spotlight
In his role as librarian and archivist at the Harry A. Sprague Library, Paul Martinez works to preserve the history of Montclair and make it widely accessible while connecting people to information resources.
The Sprague Library Archives is a repository for many of the materials relating to the history of Montclair State University, including the former Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene and College High School. It is available for reference and research by administrators, faculty, students, alumni and outside researchers. Many of the digital collections of the archives are available on the University Digital Commons repository.
Martinez has worked at the University since 2008. He earned his Master of Arts in History from Montclair, a Master of Library and Information Science from Rutgers University and his bachelor’s from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During his time at Montclair, he has enjoyed the community and camaraderie that the University offers.
“I particularly enjoy connecting members of the Montclair community with their personal and family history,” Martinez says. “It’s a wonderful feeling to show someone a photograph, a newspaper story, or another document that mentions a family member from years past.”
Outside of being a wealth of information for all things Montclair, Martinez is also a historical fencer (also referred to as Historical European Martial Arts) and a drummer in a bagpipe band.
He has been married for 21 years, and has a daughter who is a senior at Montclair High School and a member of the varsity fencing team.
An interesting historical fact about Montclair:
The Spanish mission style architecture on campus was advocated by Edward Russ (namesake of Russ Hall). Russ was a prominent lawyer and chair of the New Jersey Board of Education’s building committee. Inspired by a recent trip along the California coastline, Russ suggested the mission style to architect George E. Poole, who designed College Hall.
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