# /programs/ourwork/collectivecoll/archives/sharing.htm

originally: http://www.oclc.org/programs/ourwork/collectivecoll/archives/sharing.htm

# Sharing Special Collections Project Problem statement: Rare and unique research collections are distributed system-wide, and any given institution's scholars and students may discover collections in other libraries and archives that are essential for their work. Helping users discover related collections has always been a hallmark of good reference practice in special collections. Fewer people are able to travel to use collections, while research using primary resources has steadily increased. The move from print to digital draws special collections and archives into the spotlight, as the signature of the institution. In the future, libraries and archives will need to devote fewer resources to acquiring rare and unique materials. Librarians and archivists advocate strongly for use of "the real thing," or the "book as artifact." Letting each person do what they do best can be risky, both for curators and for ILL staff. Impact: Streamlining procedures for successful delivery of rare and unique materials to users will maximize use of increasingly limited staff and financial resources. By following best practices, minimizing risk, and trusting community standards, librarians and archivists can deliver their collections to far-flung users while making the collections more visible and useful. This project will encourage good practices for lending special collections and archival materials by working with institutions that actively engage in lending. This project builds on experience gained since the 2002 RLG Forum, Sharing the Wealth, such as how to build trust in each others' reading room and exhibition practices, judicious evaluation of requested materials requested, fulfillment rates, and the staff time necessary for negotiating loans. The conversation about sharing special collections began with a Web seminar, "Treasures on Trucks and Others Taboos," on 28 May, 2009. The seminar featured a panel discussion with two pairs of SHARES experts and heads of special collection, one pair speaking from experience and the other just starting to consider the possibility of more widely sharing the physical items. Are there factors that inhibit use? Has digitization lessened the demand for lending? Can we recommend system-wide strategies to encourage more active lending? The webinar recording is available online in .wmv format (147MB/131min.) .mp4 format (178MB/131min.) and in the iTunes Store. See the webinar announcement or contact Dennis Massie or Jennifer Schaffner for information. This project is lead by OCLC Research Program Officer Dennis Massie. |
For more information Dennis Massie Program Officer dennis_massie@oclc.org