Proposals are invited for chapters/case studies to be included in a
book to be published by ACRL in Spring 2011 on practices and programs
in libraries which enhance undergraduate learning through special
collections and archives. The book’s editors are Peggy Seiden (College
Librarian, Swarthmore), Eleanor Mitchell (Director, Library Services,
Dickinson College), and Suzy Taraba (Head of Special Collections and
University Archivist, Wesleyan University).
Please share the call with your usual suspects and anyone else you feel
might be interested. One page proposals/abstracts due (please send to
mitchele@dickinson.edu) by March 31; final chapters will be due July
31. Questions? Don’t hesitate to ask.
Regards,
Eleanor
Eleanor Mitchell
Director of Library Services
Dickinson College
P.O.Box 1773
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
717-245-1864
In the age of ubiquitous access to information and mass digitization of
materials, library special collections and archives are receiving
renewed attention. While some of this attention is focused on making
these unique collections available outside of their home institutions
through digitization, many academic libraries have also developed
innovative approaches to integrating special collections and archives
into the undergraduate curriculum and co-curricular activities. 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 are being enriched through assignments, experiences, and
activities that draw upon or incorporate primary sources, material
culture, and local or unusual items. Often the focus is on 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 essays
in this volume describe successful programs which include a wide range
of engagement (single assignments through certificate programs) with
unique and rare materials and archival approaches and methodologies.
The publication will use the case study approach; chapters should be
approximately 3000 words ( which would be 10 pages, double spaced type.)
We welcome chapters from librarians, teaching faculty, program
administrators, and others. We would be especially interested in
receiving submissions from students or student/librarian or
student/faculty co-authors.
Please send a one page abstract describing the program, project or
approach you would like to propose as a chapter in this publication by
March 31, to Eleanor Mitchell (mitchele@dickinson.edu) Proposals will be
reviewed by the editors and those that are selected will receive
requests for drafts of complete chapters by July 31.
Possible topics
I. Students as researchers
a. “Hands on history:†Teaching with archival materials
b. Beyond history: Using special collections across the
curriculum
II. Students as curators
a. Curating physical exhibits
b. Curating digital exhibits
III. Students engagement with book arts and book making
a. Students as bookmakers
b. The book as an object of study and research
IV. Building and documenting collections
a. Undergraduate participation in digitization projects
b. Creating new archival materials: students as collectors
c. Documenting student life and work: educating undergraduates
as archivists and curators
V. Growing your own: designing special collections’ jobs
and internships for undergraduates
a. Student work in special collections
b. Student work in archives
c. Students as peer mentors to the collections
