Of Sherpas and Mountain Climbers: The Special Collections Librarian in the Library Development Process

Abstract

My perspective on the role of special collections in library development is somewhat unusual. I have been a director of development and the head of special collections in major university research libraries. I can, therefore, offer views from both sides of the tall fence that often separates librarians and fundraisers. In addition to my direct experience, I consult on fundraising, sometimes at the invitation of librarians wanting to improve their relationships with development staff and sometimes at the invitation of fundraisers hoping to strengthen their dealings with librarians.

In the first part of this essay, I comment generally on this . . .