Records Management for Special Collections Departments

Abstract

The records of special collections departments are both a blessing and a curse. Most departments have voluminous files where such important information as the history of individual collections, correspondence with readers and donors, personnel records, data on facilities and equipment, and other necessary documents are stored. All too often, however, these files are inefficiently organized and seldom, if ever, weeded. As a result, critical information may not be accessible when required. None of the standard works on special collections librarianship discusses the records generated by such departments or the most effective ways to administer them.

The discipline of records management . . .