Past or Portal?
Enhancing Undergraduate Learning Through Special Collections and Archives
Published on 30. July 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-8389-8610-3 (ISBN)
Description
In the age of ubiquitous access to information and mass digitization of materials, library special collections have received renewed attention, though most of this is focused on making these unique collections available outside of holding institutions through digitization. Special collections and archives have largely been used by advanced researchers and scholars. Few undergraduates darken the doors of rare book rooms or archives. Yet these materials offer both distinctive content and opportunities for students to experience learning though direct engagement with rare or unique items, or materials whose arrangement and organization illuminates, instructs, or delights. Beyond "hands-on history," courses from across the curriculum may be enriched through assignments, experiences, and activities that draw upon or incorporate local or unusual items, primary sources, or material culture - particularly the book as art object or artifact. Undergraduates may also deepen their learning through Special Collections' internships or participation as classes or individuals in designing and producing exhibits, projects, and publications on topics or scholarly or institutional value. The 47 cases explored in Past or Portal? Enhancing Undergraduate Learning through Special Collections and Archives describe successful programs which include a wide range of types of engagement (single assignments through certificate programs) with unique and rare materials and archival approaches and methodologies.
This book is suitable for all academic library collections, special collections, and archives. In addition it will be of interest to instructional librarians and library and information school educators.
This book is suitable for all academic library collections, special collections, and archives. In addition it will be of interest to instructional librarians and library and information school educators.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chicago
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 203 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
775 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8389-8610-3 (9780838986103)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Eleanor Mitchell became Director of Library Services at Dickinson College in August, 2005. Prior to that, she was Head of the Undergraduate Library at UCLA since 1995, and Director of the Information Literacy Initiative there from its founding in 2001 through 2004. She served on the editorial board of Reference Services Review since 1998, becoming co-editor in 2005. She has worked in libraries at Arizona State University, Westchester Community College, Vassar College, and Newsweek magazine. Her undergraduate degree was in English, from Skidmore College; her MLS was from SUNY Albany, USA. Eleanor thinks, writes, and speaks about undergraduates and libraries frequently.
Peggy Seiden has been College Librarian at Swarthmore College since 1998. Prior to joining Swarthmore, she directed the Skidmore College Library, the library at Penn State, New Kensington and worked in various capacities at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research interests and publications are focused on user behavior and library organizational dynamics. She is a past president of ALA's Reference and User Services Association and served on a number of committees in ACRL. She currently chairs the ALA-APA Certification Review Committee for the Library Support Staff Certification program. Her interest in Special Collections stems back to her graduate work in Medieval Studies. At the University of Toronto she had the opportunity to study Paleography under the tutelage of Father Leonard Boyle who subsequently became the Vatican Librarian. She also has a masters in Library and Information Science (Rutgers University); her undergraduate degree is from Colby College.
Suzy Taraba is Director of Special Collections and Archives at Wesleyan University. She holds BA and MALS degrees from Wesleyan and the MS in Library Science from Columbia. Before returning to her alma mater in 1997, she held special collections positions at the Bakken Library of Electricity in Life (now the Bakken Museum), Columbia, Duke, and the University of Chicago. Suzy is a former chair of ACRL's Rare Books and Manuscripts Section. Fostering undergraduate excitement about special collections and archives is one of her favorite parts of her job.
Peggy Seiden has been College Librarian at Swarthmore College since 1998. Prior to joining Swarthmore, she directed the Skidmore College Library, the library at Penn State, New Kensington and worked in various capacities at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research interests and publications are focused on user behavior and library organizational dynamics. She is a past president of ALA's Reference and User Services Association and served on a number of committees in ACRL. She currently chairs the ALA-APA Certification Review Committee for the Library Support Staff Certification program. Her interest in Special Collections stems back to her graduate work in Medieval Studies. At the University of Toronto she had the opportunity to study Paleography under the tutelage of Father Leonard Boyle who subsequently became the Vatican Librarian. She also has a masters in Library and Information Science (Rutgers University); her undergraduate degree is from Colby College.
Suzy Taraba is Director of Special Collections and Archives at Wesleyan University. She holds BA and MALS degrees from Wesleyan and the MS in Library Science from Columbia. Before returning to her alma mater in 1997, she held special collections positions at the Bakken Library of Electricity in Life (now the Bakken Museum), Columbia, Duke, and the University of Chicago. Suzy is a former chair of ACRL's Rare Books and Manuscripts Section. Fostering undergraduate excitement about special collections and archives is one of her favorite parts of her job.