Academic Law Librarianship
12
Erin Grimes Jason LeMay Jaime Valenzuela
Erin E. Grimes; Jason LeMay; and Jaime Valenzuela
Within the academic law library, special collections and archives offer law librarians an opportunity for interesting specialization. Special collection librarians and archivists work with the most delicate aspects of the law library collection, and they uphold the tremendous responsibilities of preservation and promotion of the collection. This chapter will introduce the world of special collections and archives within the law library setting, including an overview of the professions, considerations for maintaining the collection, opportunities for marketing and outreach, and sources for education and development. Although special collections and archives often rest beneath the law library’s surface, the collections and those who work with them prove an integral and valuable part of the institution.
- Special collections and archives are specific to each organization and may vary depending on the library’s collection focus.
- Special collections and archives require special considerations related to collection development, preservation, and usage of materials.
- Special collections and archives tend to be more hidden than other library collections and are dependent on adequate marketing and outreach to gain users.
Introduction to Special Collections
This section discusses working in special collections and archives in academic law libraries. The role of a librarian working in academic special collections and archives in the legal profession is dynamic, as the range of responsibilities and options for involvement and development are profound. Special collections and archives provide value to the law library by preserving the university’s institutional history, supporting student and faculty scholarship, and engaging with the community. Special collections librarians and archivists endeavor to ensure the continued acquisition, assessment, preservation, accessibility, and use of these important collections for present and future scholars.
Archives in Law Libraries
Archives emerge every day when a person, organization, or government creates and keeps a record of their actions. The term “archive” can refer to records themselves, the organization that houses the records, or the building holding the records. Archives contain recorded material that has long-term permanent value for the organization. In a law library, archives collect materials related to the school. For example, academic archives may include academic policies, meeting minutes, school bulletins, photographs, legal documents, and blueprints.
Archivists may have many roles in the law library, but they are ultimately responsible for assessing, collecting, organizing, preserving, and providing access to the records in an archive. Archivists evaluate materials for the collection, put the items in historical context, and arrange the items based on archival principles of prov