Paul McCarthy
To collect materials for the newly established archives at the University of Alaska library, Paul McCarthy employed an unusual vehicle: a canoe.
In 1966, McCarthy and Ted Ryberg, the library鈥檚 director, paddled down the Yukon River, saving documents, newspapers and other abandoned materials they found in old cabins between Eagle and Circle.
Building on that beginning, the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections and Archives in the Rasmuson Library today contains a vast treasure of historical records. It holds 11,000 rare books and maps, more than 20,000 linear feet of archives and manuscripts, more than a million photographs, tens of thousands of historical films and videotapes, and over 11,000 hours of oral history recordings.
McCarthy was behind much of that growth.
McCarthy, his wife, Lucy, and the first two of their four children arrived in Fairbanks in 1964. They initially lived in the subdivision next to Ballaine Lake, which was a fairly 鈥渃lassy鈥 spot before the permafrost began to melt, McCarthy said in a 2016 interview.
鈥淏ut we had to carry our own water. In winter we鈥檇 use a sled. In the summer a cart or I would backpack five gallons on my back 示cause the water was terrible, just terrible,鈥 he said. 鈥淸One of] the early tests for [potable] water was if you used the water and mixed it with bourbon or alcohol of any kind, it would turn black. And it turned black, let me tell you.鈥
McCarthy worked his way up from archivist to director and then dean of libraries. A highlight was helping James Michener with research for his book, 鈥淎laska.鈥 The library loaned him an office in the archives.
鈥淎nd we set up probably 30 interviews with university faculty,鈥 McCarthy said. 鈥淗e had read widely, and he had I think a photographic memory.鈥
McCarthy retired in 1994 but since then has continued to be involved with the library. He served stints as acting director and dean. In 2015, the 50th anniversary of the archives鈥 founding, the library named the archives鈥 research room after him.
In recent years, McCarthy also has developed an expertise in sports photography; readers who look at the fine print in newspapers and other publications will have seen his name on the credit line next to many hundreds of photos.
More online about Paul McCarthy:
- of an interview in 2016 with Leslie McCartney, curator of oral history at the Rasmuson Library