Forging the future of special collections

Abstract

"Once treated as exclusive spaces for valuable but hidden and under-utilized material, over the past few decades special collections departments have been transformed by increased digitization and educational outreach efforts into unique and highly visible major institutional assets. What libraries must now contemplate is how to continue this momentum by articulating and implementing a dynamic strategic vision for their special collections. Drawing on the expertise of a world-class array of librarians, university faculty, book dealers, collectors, and donors, this collected volume surveys the emerging requirements of today's knowledge ecosystem and charts a course for the future of special collections"--

Contents

Preface / Arnold Hirshon -- Introduction / Robert H. Jackson -- Reflections on the meanings of objects / E. Haven Hawley -- Affinities and alliances : thoughts on acquisitions, collection development, and donor relations / Jim Kuhn -- Where does the collector/donor community see special collections today? / Jon A. Lindseth -- Collecting communities : the role of special collections librarians and archivists in creating new life for community-base collections / Melissa A. Hubbard -- The role of the auction house / Selby Kiffer -- Forging into the future : facing digital realities and forecasting endeavors for special collections librarianship / Athena N. Jackson -- Lawrence Clark Powell revisited : the functions of rare books today / Joel Silver -- Special collections libraries and the uses of the past (apologies to Herbert Muller) / Paul Ruxin -- Everything old is new again : transformation in special collections / Alice Schreyer -- Special collections and the booksellers of today / Tom Congalton -- Acknowledging the past / Daniel De Simone -- Literary archives : how they have changed, and how they are changing / Ken Lopez -- Objects of study : special collections in an age of digital scholarship / Stephen Enniss -- Considering the present : special collections are the meal, not the dessert / Jay Satterfield -- Teaching with special collections / Christoph Irmscher -- From Siberia to Shangri-La / Sarah Thomas -- The once and future special collections / Mark Dimunation.