Learn how to ethically grow and increase patron access to your pre-existing legacy collection through the perspective of an area studies and special collections librarian’s experience working to promote a Mexicana collection within a large research library system

Barrett, Colleen W.

Leigh, Taylor

English

University of Kentucky

Reigniting Endowed ExcitementA Case Study of Collaborating across Divisions to Improve Access to a Legacy Collection in an R1 Library SystemColleen Barrett, MLSRare Books Librarian University of KentuckyTaylor Leigh, Ph.D., MLISHispanic Studies & Political Science LibrarianUniversity of Kentucky#ACRLEndowedExcitementGirolamo Porro, Map of Tenochtitlan, circa 1572; Source: https://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt70rx93bh49#page/1/mode/1upIntroductions...Taylor Leigh- Joined UKL in September 2019- Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies, experience working with special collections and archival materials as a researcher- Primary job duties include: - Collection development- Instruction- Outreach- Professional interests include:- Critical librarianship- Primary sources- Community outreachColleen Barrett- Joined UKL in January 2019- MLS with specialization in Rare Books and Manuscripts Librarianship, also experience with antiquarian bookselling- Spanish minor as an undergraduate- Primary job duties include: - Collection development- Instruction- Outreach- Professional interests include:- Early American imprints- Library organizational structures- Community outreachLearning ObjectivesBy the end of this presentation, you will be able to...1) Better understand how and why the complementary skill sets of area studies librarians and special collections librarians should be combined to allow for a more holistic approach to collection access and outreach.2) Incorporate critical librarianship principles into collection development practices in order to proactively diversify existing collections without compromising the donor’s original intent.3) Create a multifaceted plan of action to increase access points to, and promote the use of, a specific collection in order to satisfy the desired outcomes of multiple library organizational units and enhance the research and teaching applications of a collection.... we didn’t invent the wheelSource: alastore.ala.org - “Librarians and their collaborative partners can use their expertise and creativity to increase exposure to special collections by working interdepartmentally on instruction, collection development, research, processing, and other projects. Through these experiences, librarians gain a deeper understanding of the roles of each department and work together to achieve strategic goals for the benefit of research and scholarly communities.” (ix)The PlanGoing over our progress to date in chronological order, mostly by theme.- History of the collection- Our collection development work- Description coordination work and successes- Current outreach efforts- Future planning History of the CollectionOriginal letter establishing the Lou Emma Wilson Mexicana FundSource: exploreuk.uky.eduDr. Alberta Wilson Server, 1897-1986Source: eploreuk.uky.eduCollection DevelopmentCollection Development Guidelines:- Main focus on primary sources, but also secondary that support research of the former- Printed materials over manuscripts- Generally historical focus- Areas of particular interest: women, people of color and indigenous groups, LGBTQ, history of printing, labor relations and unions, folk traditions, Mexican Revolution, non-traditional publications, ephemeraSource: exploreuk.uky.eduUser Experience and Collection Discovery- The librarian perspective- The user perspective- Honing in on the challenges and identifying the solutionSource: exploreuk.uky.eduCataloging and Metadata Considerations- First issue: inconsistent notation in records- Records created in different library units- Inconsistent naming/tagging across branches and platforms over time- Descriptions hosted in different systems- Lots of collaboration!- Collaborating with the Head of Cataloging and Metadata and the Special Collections Cataloger for most printed materials- Collaborating with the Director of Digital Services and an Image Management Specialist for archival materials and broadsidesSource: exploreuk.uky.eduOverall Collection Discovery- Second issue: seeing the collection all at once- Related to first issue- Hard to know what’s there if you can’t group itSource: https://saa-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/collectionDiscovery?vid=UKY&inst=UKY&collectionId=81372108310002636Our Collections feature in Primo- Informational interviews, meetings with Digital Initiatives Metadata Librarian and also the Curator of Latin American Collections at University of Miami - Bringing it all back home, collaboration with Library Discovery Systems Coordinator, Systems Librarian, and the UKL ILS CommitteeCollection Grouping Elsewhere- Designated Collection in ExploreUK - Worked with our Director of Digital Services to ensure that digitized items and finding aids are connected in our archival description interface- Cross-referencing- When items can’t be displayed together, there’s at least a note to check other areasSource: exploreuk.uky.eduOutreach & Promotion- Collection development →Promotion- Digitization of select content- Consideration of other avenues of outreach → Learning Lab, projects for Diversity Interns, etc.Source: libguides.uky.edu/hispanic/meridianos  Future Planning- More thematic outreach (Hispanic Heritage Month)- Developing a robust collection LibGuide for users- More instruction with primary sources- Future exhibit planningTakeaways!- You can do this, too!- Partnering with colleagues to manage collections is a good idea: two heads are better than one, draw on different skill sets and perspectives- Good opportunity for inter-library collaboration that can pay off later- Start a conversation! If you don’t say something, people won’t know. - Horizontal and vertical communicationThank you for attending!If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch:Colleen Barrett: colleen.barrett@uky.eduTaylor Leigh: taylor.c.leigh@uky.edu

Reigniting Endowed Excitement: A Case Study of Collaborating across Divisions to Improve Access to a Legacy Collection in an R1 Library System

https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=1235&context=libraries_present&type=additional

Reigniting Endowed Excitement: A Case Study of Collaborating across Divisions to Improve Access to a Legacy Collection in an R1 Library System

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University of Kentucky