Further Reading
*For a more detailed description of the philosophy and mission of the Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives program, see CLIR's original proposal to the Mellon Foundation(pdf) and CLIR's most recent renewal request to the Foundation (pdf).
Notable cataloging and processing projects [See also: Funded Projects]
Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), Young Research Library, UCLA
Launched with funding from the Ahmanson Foundation and continued with the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Center trains graduate students in cataloging and archival methods; the students then go on to create catalog records, finding aids and guides for currently hidden collections.
Mapping the Stacks: A Guide to Black Chicago’s Hidden Archives
Since 2003, Project Director Jacqueline Goldsby and her team of graduate students have been working with the Special Collections Research Center at the University of Chicago Library to survey and process hidden collections pertaining to mid-20th century African American life in Chicago.
PACSCL Consortial Survey Initiative
This recently completed collection assessment project generated brief descriptions of the physical condition and intellectual significance of backlogged archival collections in 22 member institutions of the Philadelphia-Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL). The database assembled during the course of the project is open and accessible to the public.
The problem of hidden collections
Association of Research Libraries (2006). Special Collections Task Force Final Status Report, 2006.
Dooley, Jackie and Katherine Luce (2010). Taking Our Pulse: The OCLC Research Survey of Special Collections and Archives.
Mertens, Mike and Dunia García-Ontiveros (2012). Hidden Collections: Report of the Findings of the Research Libraries UK (RLUK) Retrospective Cataloguing Survey in association with The London Library.
Jones, Barbara M. and Judith M. Panitch, eds. (2004). Exposing Hidden Collections. Special issue of RBM: Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts and Cultural Heritage, 5(2). The essays in this issue explore the challenges of dealing with mass quantities of hidden collections and speculate on possible solutions. Authors include Barbara M. Jones, Carol Mandel, Stanley N. Katz, Winston Tabb, and Daniel J. Slive.
Cataloging and archival processing
Conway, Martha O'Hara, and Merilee Proffitt (2011). "Taking Stock and Making Hay." Available on the OCLC Research website: "This report identifies projects and methodologies that can be used as-is or serve as models for librarians, archivists and others who are considering collections assessment to meet one or several institutional needs. The goal of the report is to encourage a community of practice and to make it easier for institutions of all types to undertake collections assessment."
Greene, Mark, and Dennis Meissner (2005). "More Product, Less Process: Pragmatically Revamping Traditional Processing Approaches to Deal with Late 20th-Century Collections" (PDF). This widely read and cited essay encourages the adoption of quicker, non-traditional methods of arranging and processing collections. See also "More Product, Less Process: Revamping Traditional Archival Processing." American Archivist 68(2): 208-263.
Spiro, Lisa (2009). Archival Management Software: A Report for the Council on Library and Information Resources. Council on Library and Information Resources.
This report outlines the features of major archival management systems on the market, and discusses the advantages and tradeoffs of each one. Its "Works Cited" is a rich collection of links to resources about archival cataloging tools and management systems and their uses. See also: ArchivesSpace [in development], and CollectionSpace
Scholarly engagement and outreach
Observations on Scholarly Engagement with Hidden Special Collections and Archives, an ongoing research project connected with the Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives program.
Holzenberg, Eric, ed. (2006). Bridging the Gap: Education and Special Collections. Special issue of RBM: Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts and Cultural Heritage, 7(1).
This issue includes several papers that explore the pedagogical and professional implications of using special collections and archival materials in the classroom. Authors include Eric Holzenberg, Deirdre C. Stam, Steven Escar Smith, William E. Landis, Alice D. Schreyer, Michael Garabedian, François Dupuigrenet Desroussilles, Patricia Fleming, and Mark Dimunation.
Nichols, Stephen G. (2008). "Co-Teaching: The Library and Me." In No Brief Candle: Reconceiving Research Libraries for the 21st Century. Council on Library and Information Resources.