Program:
1. Introduction - Dr. Giannini
Envisioning a Future in Special Collections - 
new roles and challenges.

2. Student Presentations.

3. Topics for Discussion. 

• Learning venues, methods and experience.
• The Institutes and preparing for careers in research libraries, special collections, archives and museums.
• Issues in special collections and research libraries.
• 
  

PRESENTATIONS:
 

Jan  Hilley - Dickens

Laura Braunstein - Comics

Angela Graven- Glassware Ireland

THE PRE-INSTITUTE SURVEY - WHAT YOU SAID BEFORE YOU GOT STARTED.

2. Will this be your first experience with special collections?
yes -           6
no -             9

14. Are you interested in working in special collections?
yes -        12
no -           0
perhaps -   3

15. If you are interested in working in special collections, does this interest extend to museums?
yes -        12
no -           1
perhaps -   2

16.  What do expect to learn and experience in this course that will help you in the field of librarianship?

Basically the things that are listed as goals for the course in the syllabus - understanding special collections, how they define a topic, etc.

How exhibitions are assembled; how material is handled.

As I work in the central library, I can fully understand what the special collections department is dealing with.

How to organize stuff and make it available and make sure people know about it to use.

Access to special collections, using catalogs and specific tools.  I find this a great opportunity to explore my topic in different divisions of NYPL.

I'm excited about the experiential part of the class, since I don't currently work in a library.  Also, it's an intellectual vacation from my job!

Increase understanding of research methods and special collections.

Increase level of comfort in the environment
a better idea of what those who work in special collections actually do.

I want to know how special collections generally work and why.  That way, when I work in a special collection, I'll have empathy for the user and really understand how things work.

I would like to become more comfortable with special collections.  I am also interested in learning about the career path of a special collections librarian.

Special requirements for handling archives.  The many different special collection subjects at NYPL.  How to create a guide to a subject area so future researchers can navigate through archives.

I hope to learn all aspects - especially interested in archives but am looking forward to the varied subject matter and lectures given by different curators/librarians.

Grasping the concept of hands-on library/special collections experience.

How to construct a research guide - sense of audience.

• New roles for curators and librarians through exhibitions, publications and educational programs give greater voice for libraries to communicate with the public.  What principles will guide this new-found power to serve the public good? 
• Technology's impact on access and use of special collections presents new challenges to a library's public policies.  What should be the framework and guiding principals on which they rest? 
• Is a tension of values playing out in library public policy between freedom to know and to create versus freedom to own and to profit; how shall public institutions with corporate visions balance risk and benefit?
• How is the mission of the research library in the 21st century evolving?
• If as librarians we are "keepers" of texts rather than providers of access, do we lock up truth and knowledge, and ultimately fail to demonstrate the value of our holdings? 
• How can research libraries provide access while preserving collections for future generations? 

Reconciling traditional practice with new trends in information seeking behavior and research - from manuscripts to digital documents.

How can research libraries be most helpful to users?