Russell Franks was the Librarian for Special and Archival Collections at Providence College from 2008 to 2019. He received his B.A. in History and M.L.I.S. from the University of Rhode Island. He is a member of the Rhode Island Historical Records Advisory Board, the Historical Society of Smithfield, RI, the New England Archivists Association, and the Society of American Archivists. His research interests extend from Pre-Conquest Mayan culture to late 19th century American history.