I don't know if I can adequately describe what it feels like to unlock the door to the Rare Book Room, swing it wide and step inside. It's a Dorothy kind of moment for me. Every day I feel like I'm walking into a land of delights. I've often described this feeling as akin to a settler in an undiscovered country - just so much to explore! I had that same feeling when I entered the RBR, as I call it, today.
Now that I'm home and back at work I've gone through my notes and created some short lists of topics I'd like to explore:
1. Instructional ideas:
- Invite new faculty to tour special collections and share the rare book pedagogy model developed by an English professor designed to assist faculty and introduce students to primary source materials.
- Host an open house in special collections for new students during orientation. Students are given a tour of the library, so why not include a visit to special collections?
- Initiate a student book collector's contest. I plan to enter the collector's contest at USC. Offering the contest at my institution will foster scholarship, create a new class of future donors and expose students to the world of books.
2. Guidelines:
- Examine the rules currently in place for the reading room and suggest adjustments, if needed.
- Compare security guidelines to those discussed in class. Consider options addressed during class for adoption, if needed.
3. Archives:
- Seek information about archives and archivists.
- Search for ways to gain experience in archives.
4. Join!
- RBMS
- SAA
- ALA
One of the best ways to meet people, keep current on issues and learn more about a field is to join a professional organization. I spoke with several folks during my week at RBS who had joined one or more of these groups and worked on committees. Everyone of them urged me to participate. It's the next step on the way to my professional development.
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