My dissertation (written for a Masters qualification in Library and Information Studies) aims to document, explore and understand the current nature and extent of community engagement in special collections in Cambridge University colleges.
It finds that college libraries’ special collections are impressive, extensive and various. The benefits of community engagement with them are substantial but adequate resources, including staff, space, pathways funding and partnerships, are necessary to facilitate it. Issues of resources, however, are surmountable given supportive attitudes.
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Hello Naomi
Very interesting: many thanks. With Chris Banks of Aberdeen UL I’m leading a study for RLUK on the future of special collections in RLUK libraries. I wonder if you’d be interested in taking part in some capacity? (I can’t be more specific about what ‘capacity’ yet: the study’s in planning at present and will start this summer/autumn.)
Andrew Green
National Library of Wales
andrew.green@llgc.org.uk
Hello Andrew
Thanks for getting in touch. I would be keen to help in any way I can with the RLUK study. There are a lot of librarians and others thinking individually about the future of special collections and some really good initiatives using special collections in research institutions all around the country. I think a study that joins up the dots to show the bigger picture would be really worthwhile. I’d love to be involved.
Naomi
Hello Naomi, thanks for putting the dissertation online! I look forward to reading it – such an important topic.
Thanks! I love your 100 objects blog – it made me think that I’d like to see those caricatures in Barbara Castle’s diary. Does Bradford special collections currently do anything with schools or other community groups?
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