Remembering Steve Hanson
Curator and Archivist Steve Hanson led the Cinematic Arts collections of the USC Libraries for more than thirty years.
by Sandra Garcia-Myers
Nothing delighted Steve Hanson more than sharing stories steeped in the rich history of film and television—though his affection for the music of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley came close. I can picture Steve welcoming students visiting the Cinematic Arts Library or greeting parents during the annual Family Weekend, surrounded by artifacts and memorabilia from our collections that made the history of film and television come alive. Though he often confessed to feeling nervous before each presentation, it never showed. With ease and humor, he wove stories around the objects he held, linking a single artifact to a larger historical moment and welcoming everyone listening into the story.
Steve’s gift for storytelling was deeply rooted in his life’s work. Over the course of his career in the University Library, he held several positions, but served as Head of the Cinematic Arts Library for over 30 years. In that role, Steve built on the foundation laid by his predecessors to create a destination archive—one that preserved the voices and contributions of those who shaped film and television, both in front of and behind the camera. Through persistence and dedication, he ensured that researchers could explore an extraordinary range of collections illuminating the creative, cultural and collaborative nature of filmmaking and television production.
Steve Hanson tagging film props in the USC Cinema Library.
But Steve’s work extended far beyond the Cinematic Arts Library. He was not only a gifted storyteller but also a gifted writer, authoring numerous articles on film and the business of the industry and co-authored books with his wife, Patricia King Hanson, that reflected both his own expertise and their shared knowledge of—and deep respect for—film history. For Steve, scholarship was never abstract; it was grounded in people, in stories, and in the materials that carried those stories forward, ensuring they would not be forgotten or lost to future scholars.
As a leader, Steve was warm and approachable, yet deeply driven. He understood that realizing his vision for the Cinematic Arts Library could not be accomplished alone. By bringing his staff along with him, he earned their trust and enthusiasm, and making them true partners in the endeavor. Steve also forged a lasting partnership with Dean Elizabeth Daley, helping to bring collections from figures such as composer Elmer Bernstein, producer David Wolper and production designer Rick Carter to the university. Beyond this, he built an extensive network within the film community, enlisting others to help make introductions to potentials donors. Accompanying Steve on donor visits was not only enjoyable, but an education in its own right. Above all, Steve never lost sight of the fact that meaningful accomplishments are collective—built through shared effort and mutual respect.
While Steve’s legacy lives on in the collections he assembled and the access he opened for future generations, it endures just as powerfully in the way he worked—with generosity, curiosity and an unwavering belief in collaboration. When I think of Steve now, I return to that familiar image: his hands holding a piece of film history, telling a story, drawing past to present, and reminding us that history is not only made, but preserved, collectively.
Sandra Garcia-Myers is Head of the USC Cinematic Arts Library
Steve Hanson in the USC Cinema Library.