Towards Special Collections Studies: Histories, Theories, Frameworks

Abstract

Special collections are incredibly diverse in their aims, impacts, and institutional structure. However, they are united by being poorly served terms of the policies, platforms, practices and metadata developed by and for other cultural heritage institutions. This panel brings together conversations reimagining the origins, meanings, and possible futures of special collections through four interconnected presentations, examining the evolution of the idea of "treasure rooms," addressing the legacies of cultural imperialism and white supremacy in special collections, the failure of special collections and archives to collect and archive themselves, and the impact of changing definitions and convergence of special collections on hiring, professional development, and retention. The panel aims to begin a larger conversation about the future of special collections and the ways in which they can be better served and understood.