Following the successful completion of a preservation effort supported by a Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Recordings at Risk award, University of Miami Libraries recently unveiled a set of fully digitized rare media files from the Janet Reno Papers, one of many collections held by its Special Collections department. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Recordings at Risk is a regranting program administered by CLIR that supports the preservation of rare and unique media of public value through digital reformatting. The project marks a major milestone in preserving the life and work of a trailblazing Miami-born leader and the nation's first woman to serve as U.S. attorney general.
Approximately 150 VHS tapes, 15 compact cassettes, and 160 microcassettes were digitized, preserving these historic records for future researchers. An assessment of the items in 2024 revealed that 65 percent of the magnetic media recordings were facing significant risk of irreversible damage from mold.
"The CLIR Recordings at Risk program provided us with the full amount of funding required for mold remediation and archival-quality digitization to preserve these recordings," explained Rita Johnston, head of Digital Initiatives at University of Miami Libraries. "Funding a project of this size would not have been possible within the library's operational budget," she added.
As Béatrice Skokan, head of the Manuscripts and Archives Management Department, noted, the rapidly advancing deterioration and obsolescence added to the urgency to preserve this irreplaceable collection.
"The historical nature of the recordings, combined with the precarity of the containers, made the Janet Reno Papers a strong candidate for this national grant program," she acknowledged. "The collection included various formats that are becoming obsolete in our digital age and, therefore, hard for researchers to access."
Before the recent digitization project, many recordings in the collection existed on unstable formats such as analog videotapes and audiocassettes. Their condition limited access, restricting their use for research and teaching.
"It was nostalgic to see boxes filled with the media formats I grew up with," recalled Nat Phensiriphand, digital media manager. "But even in ideal conditions, they may not have lasted another 30 years. The technology available to even play them is becoming obsolete, along with the technical expertise needed to maintain and repair the devices."
Already contending with the risk of losing historical media files, many of which were the only copy in existence, UM Libraries' staff began the process of preserving the delicate media, which brought considerable challenges.
"As we could not safely treat the materials in-house, our preservation department, per its safety policies, provided PPE [personal protective equipment] including disposable respirator masks and nitrile gloves for material inspections," said Martha Horan, head of Preservation Strategies. "We limited our work with the materials to reduce exposure and minimize unnecessary handling."
With mold affecting the majority of the tapes, the use of PPE and strict handling protocols was necessary to safely inventory and prepare the recordings, which were then sent out for professional mold remediation and digitization.
"The collection, both historic and significant, faced major challenges due to widespread mold affecting over 60 percent of the materials, as well as the fragile nature of the audiovisual formats. The condition underscored the importance of preserving the collection and making it accessible to the public," Horan said.
After digitization, the media files were catalogued and uploaded to the Janet Reno Papers Digital Collection. The restored recordings now serve as a rich historical resource with most files available for online viewing. Media files with copyright restrictions are accessible through computers at the University Libraries.
"The newly digitized collection supports teaching and research in civic education and engagement, political science, public policy, the U.S. judiciary, Florida, and women's history, to name a few of the topics that could enrich the University curriculum," Skokan said. "It expands the reach of the collection beyond the physical walls of the University, therefore increasing access for research and teaching."
The recordings showcase Reno's career while also illuminating the many facets of her life and personality.
"Janet Reno's career was well-documented, and you can easily find copies of her speeches or news reporting from the time from many sources," Johnston said. "One thing that these recordings from the libraries' collection capture that you can't get from the news coverage is Reno's sense of humor. She often used humor to connect with her audience and lighten the mood while discussing serious topics."
That sense of humor would help turn a seemingly unfavorable television segment into a veritable party when, at the height of Reno's role as attorney general, "Saturday Night Live" aired sketches parodying the famed politician. On her last day in office, Reno made an appearance on the late-night TV show as herself.
"Reno approached the unflattering and unkind media and popular culture portrayals of her with humor. She even hosted a dance party at a Miami nightclub during her 2002 Florida primary campaign for governor, which was a play on 'Saturday Night Live's' 'Janet Reno's Dance Party' sketch," said Johnston.
The Janet Reno Papers have long been a cornerstone of the Special Collections department, reflecting the UM Libraries' commitment to documenting local history and the influential leaders who shaped it.
"As librarians and archivists in a Special Collections department, we strive to document the past and present history and culture of Miami and South Florida and to make these materials available to as wide a public as possible. The Janet Reno Papers tell the story of a remarkable woman who overcame many obstacles to attain a position of great importance in the world. Her story is not only groundbreaking but also inspiring and illuminating," said Cristina Favretto, head of Special Collections.
For Skokan, the completed project serves as a model for institutions facing similar preservation challenges and demonstrates the power of national funding to protect fragile, historically significant collections.
"Libraries value open access to information for everyone. Grant programs like CLIR Recording at Risk provide memory institutions with the hope and tools to be of service and fulfill their mission of preserving and providing access to the cultural patrimony of humanity in all its manifestations," she said.
As Johnston points out, digitizing the media files is not just about preserving data but preserving legacy.
"Janet Reno firmly believed in the judicial system as a force for good and the rule of law. I believe that it's important for people today, especially younger generations, to see how earnest Reno was as a leader."
The collection of media within the Janet Reno Papers includes political speeches, television appearances, interviews, and more, spanning from the late 1970s to the early 2000s. Reno served as U.S. attorney general during a time of prevailing significant incidents within the country's history, including the raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas; the Oklahoma City bombing; the Elián González custody case; and the Microsoft antitrust case. She was the 78th and longest serving U.S. attorney general of the 20th century, taking office in 1993 and retiring in 2001.
Reno was born in Miami in 1938, attended Coral Gables Senior High School, and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1963 with an LL.B. degree. In 1978 she was appointed by the governor of Florida to head the Dade County State Attorney's office, making her the first woman to hold the top prosecutor position. She remained in that role until former President Bill Clinton appointed her U.S. attorney general.
