Bridging the Gap: Education and Special Collections—The 46th RBMS Preconference

Abstract

Like most of their colleagues in other branches of the profession, special collections librarians often act as teachers, informally with individual users or formally as leaders of classes. But because of the preservation and security needs of the rare books and manuscripts under their care, special collections librarians must take on the additional roles of interpreter, impresario, advocate, and cheerleader. Fragile and valuable materials not browsable by the casual user must be showcased and interpreted through exhibitions and catalogs; faculty and students must be proselytized about the value of special collections in the curriculum; library and university administrations must be . . .