Opening up Special Collections
In a age of increasing openness in academic libraries, how do Special Collections departments fit in?
Often we’re fortunate enough to have instruction space built in to the blue print of our departments. Of course, we strive to fill those spaces as often as we can with teaching students, working with faculty and presenting our collections to the community. However, there are certain times when those spaces remain empty and unused. As the topic of available space comes up again and again in ARL survey results, user interviewers and casual conversations with library stakeholders, can Special Collections departments expect that our spaces will not be effected by this trend.
What would happen if we decided to open our spaces to faculty working on research or students studying, but not using collection materials? Would we see an increase in theft? Add undue stress to our public services staff?
Or could we be heroes???
We’re all grappling with a lack of space. Construction projects, increasing enrollment and the upshot of “library as community” has had the effect of making available space a precious commodity. At the same time, Special Collections departments are often found down the proverbial, sunny dirt road, deep in bear country. We’re in basements, or deep in the recesses of the library. Proximity to bathrooms and water fountains are often our greatest discovery tool. Could opening up increase the visibility and awareness of our departments?
Special Collections departments have been experimenting with opening up for several years now. These efforts range from opening their doors for students studying for finals, turning the reading room over to users after hours, and augmenting the aesthetics of spaces with exhibitions showcasing special collections materials. Without this flexibility, our “oasis” as some students describe it, of Special Collections spaces, remain empty.
Certainly, each institution must make a decision that is best for their particular needs. Opening up instruction spaces within special collections could mean that as students and faculty spend more time within the department, they will begin to engage in more “official library activities” including using special collections materials for coursework and incorporating these collections into course content. Both of which are part of most special collections departments’ missions.
In other words…
We could be heroes for students and faculty looking for quiet- hard to come by space- in the library.
I’d love to hear from you about know how your institutions are approaching finding solutions for space constraints and openness.