Today’s archivists and librarians aren’t just cool because we have mad technology skills, because our place has the best coffee and sweet comfy chairs or because we are über-helpful. In many cases, however, they are going at it independently, because they are in separate departments with the special materials. Special Collections areas and the librarians and archivists working in them are similarly adapting to change, focusing on users and experimenting with technology. By adding learning/information commons and coffee bars, participating in social networks, or hiring technically oriented, experimental, responsive, and adaptable information professionals, libraries strive to stay relevant.

American Libraries declares that “ The Bunheads are Dead” and celebrates the diversity of backgrounds and work we all do to help people discover information. Libraries and librarians are constantly increasing their coolness quotient. The time has come for libraries to integrate special collections into the flow in every aspect of our work. In this framework, libraries can embrace their special collections and archives as a locus of distinction, experimentation and core value. We regularly leverage quickly evolving trends in the information environment by refocusing on the needs and preferences of our users in the context of very real competition and economic difficulty. We treat them as special in the sense of “separate,” “extra,” “having special needs” instead of special in that they are what make our library special as “distinctive signifiers,” “our enduring core” and “our unique contribution to the world of knowledge.”Ī s librarians and archivists redefine ourselves and better articulate how we add value, as we break down long established barriers in our processes, spaces and services, we need to include our most unique collections. They are only rarely seen as part of the knowledge building conversation and it is because of how we (as librarians and archivists) treat them and present them.

We have locked these materials up in our processes and our delivery services, which has kept them out of the mainstream of information available to knowledge seekers. However, our regard for these materials has enabled us to treat them so differently that they are not accessible. The collections themselves are special in that they are rare, unique, fantastic and archaic and they do need special handling and care.

They are set aside, revered and left as the last great mystery the Library holds. I’m beginning to think that what’s wrong with special collections and archives today is that they are considered special. Read more to learn about her vision and thought-provoking ideas about the future of special collections… In the Library with the Lead Pipe is pleased to welcome another guestĪuthor, Lisa Carter! Lisa has just recently been appointed as Visiting Program Officer to work with the Association of Research Libraries Special Collections Working Group.

Ncsu libraries reference tracker