Rare Books / Special Collections

The full specialization in Special Collections, Rare Books and Archives is offered on the Bloomington campus. Students who want the full array of study in this area should consider applying to the Bloomington SLIS program or at least make plans to complete 12 to 15 credits in the specialization at Bloomington. The Indianapolis program provides a selective list of course offerings in this area.

Courses leading to a dual degree in public history and to a certificate in archives management can be identified through the IUPUI History Department. Contact Dr. Robert Barrows, Chair. Internships through the Indiana Historical Society and other area archives are possible for those in the dual degree program.

Rare Books/Special Collections may be for YOU, if you are interested in:

• Rare Book and Manuscript Librarianship
• Rare Book Cataloging
• Manuscripts Arrangement and Description
• Archives/Records Management
• Library Management
• Library Material Preservation

Coursework for specialization in Rare Books/Special Collections:

• S580 - History of Libraries
• S581 - Archives and Records Management
• S582 - Preservation
• S680 - The Book to 1450
• S681 - The Book 1450 to the Present
• S605 - Internship in Library and Information Science (work in a position related to special collections)

Qualities employers seek:

• equally adept with care of both books and manuscripts
• commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage materials
• expertise with a foreign language helpful

Opportunities to gain experience in this field:

Internships are available through the:

• IUPUI University Archives
• Butler University Library Archives

Professional Associations:

• American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
• Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) - Division of ALA
• Preservation and Reformation Section of the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS)
• Printing Historical Society
• Rare Books and Manuscripts Section of ACRL
• Society of American Archivists (SAA)
• State and regional archival organizations, such as the Midwest Archives Conference and the Chicago Area Archivists.

Interested in knowing more? Contact:

• Brenda Burk, Archivist, bburk@iupui.edu
  
  
• Todd Daniels-Howell, IUPUI University Archivist, tjdaniel@iupui.edu
  
  
• Sally Childs-Helton, Special Collections Librarian, Butler University, schildsh@butler.edu
  
  
• Dr. Erik Lindseth, Department of History, IUPUI, elindset@iupui.edu