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 that include history of American libraries, history of the book, preservation of materials and internships in practical archival management at the IUPUI Archives in the University Library and at the Butler University Library Archives. Internship supervisors include Todd Daniels-Howell, IUPUI University Archivist, UL 0117 and Brenda Burk, Archivist, UL 0117; and Sally Childs-Helton, Ph.D., Special Collections Librarian, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis.
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. Phillip Scarpino, 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:
- S582 - Preservation
- S581 - Archives and Records Management
- S684 - Descriptive Bibliography
- S584b - Manuscripts
- S583 - Rare Book Librarianship
- S680 - The Book to 1450
- S681 - The Book 1450 to the Present
- L555 - Topics in Information, Literature, and Bibliography (Reference Sources in Rare Books Librarianship)
- 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:
- Lilly Library, IU's rare book and manuscript library in Bloomington
- Indiana University Archives
- IU Libraries Preservation Department
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:
On campus:
Philip Bantin, IU Archives 812-855-1127
Breon Mitchell, Librarian, Lilly Library
Elizabeth Johnson, Head of Technical Services, Lilly Library, 812-855-3174
IU Libraries Preservation Dept.
Joel Silver, Curator of Books, Lilly Library, 812-855-2989
Saundra Taylor, Curator of Manuscripts, Lilly Library, 812-855-3187
At IUPUI concerning book history and archives contact:
Dr. Erik Lindseth, Department of History, IUPUI
