Ask Reed Jones what is most rewarding about working in the Libraries and he’ll tell you it’s the challenge of long-term preservation and the impact it can have. As someone who once relied on centuries-old primary sources for his own research, Jones now finds purpose in ensuring the materials of today are preserved for future generations.
Jones is the digital asset librarian for the University at Buffalo Libraries, where he manages the creation and preservation of digital collections. His current work includes the implementation of a new digital asset management platform—an ambitious effort led by UB’s systems and development teams and built on Hyrax and Fedora software. “Working with the wider Samvera community has been incredibly rewarding,” he said.
His connection to UB Libraries began in 2014 when he was a student worker at the Libraries Annex. At the time, he was pursuing a master’s degree in history at UB, which he earned after completing his undergraduate studies in history and economics at Binghamton University and a brief stint teaching middle school in Colorado. He later earned a second master’s degree in library science.
Jones’s first role at UB involved managing the shipping and receiving of materials at the Annex, along with high-volume scanning requests. Over time, he gravitated toward digital production—digitizing physical materials using proper archival standards—a move that would shape his career. “I liked the connection the libraries had to the larger research and education world of academia,” he said.
Throughout his time at UB, Jones has presented at national conferences, led a data visualization training for the American Library Association, and had an article published in Public Services Quarterly. These achievements reflect his deep commitment to both technical excellence and the mission of libraries.
Originally from Texas, Jones moved to Buffalo as a child and now calls the city home. Outside of work, he’s a familiar face in the local music scene. He’s a guitarist for the band Whelp and spends most of his evenings rehearsing or performing around the Buffalo area.
And for those who may not know—long before working with digital archives, Jones practiced a different kind of precision—as a high school pole vaulter.