“ONE DAY. IT WILL BE OTHERWISE:”: CHANGING THE REPUTATION AND THE REALITY OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Abstract

David Stam and Sarah Thomas have set forth a number of ideas and suggestions for shaping the nature and the future of special collections in libraries belonging to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). From my perspective as director of the special collections operations in a research library, I want to comment on their recommendations and add a few suggestions that I believe are in line with the vision and strategies they have described. Like Stam, I feel that little, if anything, I say will be new. I know that many of you could offer more insightful observations and recommendations . . .