Sophie Ziegler (they/them) has over 10 years’ experience in cultural heritage institutions and now focuses primarily on preserving history by working with activists and mission-driven organizations. They have served as the Head of Digital Programs and Services at LSU Libraries, where they managed the Louisiana Digital Library, and the Head of Digital Scholarship at the American Philosophical Society Library, where they founded the Center for Digital Scholarship. They are the founding editor of the Journal of Critical DIgital Librarianship, and founding member of the Louisiana Trans Oral History Project. They are currently the Director of the Solidarity History Initiative, as well as the Lead for Ziegler Research & Consulting.
What is your site’s URL?
Briefly, what is the current purpose of your site?
The purpose of my site is to describe the work I do and to bring in partners and clients.
Was the original purpose of your site different from this current purpose? If yes, how and why did it change?
Yes, it used to be more informational. When I decided to leave my full-time job in libraries and lean into consulting and nonprofit work, I rethought my site as a place to promote the skills that I sell.
Are you actively looking for work? (check all that apply)
√ Yes, for part time work
√ Yes, for speaking gigs
√ Yes, for teaching gigs
√ Yes, for contract work
Has your site brought you any work? And if so, what?
Yes. It’s brought me teaching gigs, workshop gigs, and contract work.
About Your Site and Sites in General
Did you pay someone to design or build your site?
√ I paid for a template (or templates)
Which of the following content do you have on your site (check all that apply)?
√ Resume or CV
√ Descriptions or list of services you provide
√ List of publications
√ List of presentations
√ Twitter or other social media feed
Which of the following personal links or connection methods do you provide on your site? (Check all that apply)
√ Contact Form
Is your site strictly library/archives/LIS related?
√ No, I include my arts/crafts/hobbies/other tangential or unrelated work
When was your site last updated?
√ Within the last week
What causes you to update your site, and about how frequently does that occur?
When I start teaching new courses, or when I have a new project to list.
Does your site use any of the following platforms/services?
√ Squarespace
How much do you pay annually to run your website? (for numbers not in American dollars, please use other)
√ Other: around $100
Do you allow comments on your site?
√ No
Do you have advertising on your site?
√ No
Do you have analytics on your site?
√ Yes
About how many people visit your site in a month?
√ 51-250
Is having a personal website a “must”?
√ Yes, for people looking for speaking gigs
√ Yes, for people who are independent contractors/freelancers
Do you have any privacy concerns associated with sharing your personal information, resume, etc., on a public website? If so, what measures do you take to feel safer?
I don’t. I certainly don’t list my address, though.
What advice would you give someone wanting to create their own personal professional site?
I suggest you start very simple. You can always make it fancier later. If you don’t think you’ll be able to update it consistently, try to keep the information more general (type of job you have, and/or looking for, basic information about education, etc.)
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your website? Or personal websites in general?
My personal website is just one among others that I keep and maintain. It points to other sites, such as my consulting LLC (https://www.ziegler.consulting/).
Demographics
What is your job title?
Director
What types of organizations do you work for or with? (Check all that apply)
√ Academic Library
√ Archives
√ Public Library
√ Special Library
What part of the world are you in?
√ Southeastern US
Thanks for reading! If you have a personal professional website that you’d like to talk about, please fill out the survey.
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