Inside this 1984 episode, Jobman Caravan visits the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City.They also investigate what careers as a court reporter and an accountant offer.
A Trip to New York Public Library
In 1926, the New York Public Library acquired historian Arturo Alfonso Schomburg's private collection of cultural treasures. In 1932, Schomburg headed the Library's Negro Literature, History and Prints Division, which contained his private collection. He worked in this role until his death in 1938, and then the division was renamed in his honor. At the time, the collection included over 5000 books, 3000 manuscripts, 2000 etchings and portraits, and several thousand pamphlets.
As of 1984, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture contained over 80,000 volumes of rare books and manuscripts, including the works of the Harlem Renaissance writers, sculpture, paintings and prints from the earliest Black artist to today's artists. Over 75,000 photographs were in the photography collection, the music collection contained 10,000 records and the oral history collection held taped and filmed interviews with the noted Black leaders, authors and performers.
Jobman talked to Jean Blackwell Hudson, a former curator at the Schomburg Center.
"We have played an important role in bringing about the publication of reference books that make this little known history of our people available to others."
Viewers will be introduced to several members of the library, but Myriam Arteni, a conservator, had a very unique role.
"The conservation of Schomburg Center is very important because we have valuable documents. Some of them are very brittle and need the acidification fumigation. Before any treatment, we examine the document under a microscope. The microscope helped identify the ink and any kind of fungus that may be found in the paper."
Arteni goes on to demonstrate how they preserve the documents from any further damage.
A Career as a Court Reporter
The job of a court reporter carries a lot of responsibility. Often, what is placed in the record of a trial or a court hearing will determine whether people have received a fair day in court. Jobman Caravan's co-host, Adrian Hayes talks to court reporter, Barbara Radical.
"The responsibility of a court reporter is to record verbatim, word for word, court proceedings."
Radical used a stenographic machine to produce notes. Those notes are transcribed and become the official record if what transpired in court. Accuracy is very important and sometimes court cases can get heated with more than one person talking at the same time like the judge, attorney or witness.
"It's at this point that a good court reporter's training comes into play. The average person talks 200 to 250 words a minute."
Training to become a court reporter can be found at a technical college or a special school designed to train court reporters. Students are taught not only how to use the stereograph machine, but to understand legal and medical terminology as well as court procedures.
Becoming an Accountant
To prepare for a career in accounting, students need to develop certain skills and take certain courses that will enable them to succeed in this field. Basics include English, mathematics and science.
Pat Conway, a recruiter with Coopers and Lybrand CPA firm says...
"Most people think of public accounting as numbers. It's really not. It's public first. And so you're always interacting with people." Conway mentioned, "There are outstanding opportunities for women. We probably are seeing at least 30% of our new hires are women."
Side Notes
- If you're interested in learning more, visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture website.
- Learn more about Arturo Alfonso Schomburg
