mac2019detroit

Archivists and archival collections can often be siloed into the “special” corner of their parent library: under described, underutilized, and often even unknown. Finding a path out of isolation may require taking a new look at collection management needs and considering new partners in the work. Collaboration with colleagues can result in positive ripple effects that extend beyond the initial project goals. This session will highlight three innovative description projects where archivists partnered with non-archivists to improve access to targeted collections and will detail how their collaborations transformed their archival collections, work structures and relationships, and, ultimately, their users. To foster audience participation, each person will be given a brainstorming worksheet they can use to consider their own potential collaborations.  A conversation about possibilities can be initiated during the question and answer period, and/or depending on interest, can be continued as a virtual discussion with the presenters and other audience members after the face-to-face conference concludes.  What underutilized collections in your repository are just waiting for that perfect combination of excitement and expertise to blossom into wonderful research resources? Which person down the hall from you, in the next cubicle, or in a separate building could be your next transformation partner?