Archivists and librarians in UK special collections often work solo. Managing reader access in this situation is challenging. Helen Weller, archivist at Westminster College, asked the archives-nra discussion list members for tips on how to cope, and shared them via a guest blog on the LIS New Professional's Toolkit site: Lone archivists and reading … Continue reading Alone in the Reading Room
Tag: Special Collections
23 Things …
There are many amazing web tools out there which make working life easier (lovely Zotero for instance). However, it can be hard to find time to explore them and see whether they are worth using. Which brings me to 23 Things for Professional Development ... back by popular demand on 7 May 2012. 23 Things … Continue reading 23 Things …
Exhibiting the Written Word
A new report, Exhibiting the Written Word, makes the excellent point that "there has been little reflection on the challenges of displaying the written word and how such displays differ from the display of art and museum artefacts". The report outlines the challenges e.g. book formats were not (usually) created to be shown in glass … Continue reading Exhibiting the Written Word
“Exotic … Exhaustive”
This interesting review from a perspective outside Special Collections by Elena Maceviciute of Vilnius University describes the subject matter as exotic (which I like very much!) and the book as straightforward and exhaustive (which is what I hoped it would be). I'll be adding more reviews to this site as they come my way. Talking … Continue reading “Exotic … Exhaustive”
Handbook and Friends
Conference-going: advice from a US librarian
The Handbook is of course written from a UK perspective, but I did my best to incorporate material which would help librarians in other English-speaking countries. Many examples and best practice come from the USA in particular, home to so many Special Collections and their librarians. We have much in common, but there are of … Continue reading Conference-going: advice from a US librarian
Manage and Grow your Web
Managing and Growing a Cultural Heritage Web Presence: a strategic guide by Mike Ellis (Facet, 2011) is a handy book which I would certainly have included in the Handbook had it been available. Mike offers loads of useful perspectives and advice for managers on the complexities of managing your service's online presence. Highly recommended for … Continue reading Manage and Grow your Web
Done!
I sent the final versions of the proof and index off to my copy editor at Facet earlier this week, so hoping that the book will be published sometime in December. If you're thinking of buying a copy, CILIP members are best to order through Facet as you get a substantial discount. The Handbook is … Continue reading Done!
From AACR2 to Zines
The index for the Handbook continues to take shape. There are about 800 entries at present! They cover individual objects, collections, libraries, projects, resources, lots of technical terms, codes and standards, and the ideas underlying best practice in special collections. I hope readers will find the index helps them make the most of what the … Continue reading From AACR2 to Zines
Brought to you in Garamond
I'm hard at work on proofing and indexing the Handbook. It's the last chance to get things right, so it needs a lot of concentration. I was delighted to see that Facet Publishing have typeset the book in a garamond type, which I think works well for the content and is very readable. As for … Continue reading Brought to you in Garamond
The Special Collections Handbook 