Edward Hoyenski
SLIS 5290: Special Libraries and Archives
Fall 2003
Contact information:
Office number: (940)
565-2769
Fax: (940) 565-2769
E-mail: ehoyensk@library.unt.edu
Office: Rare Book Room, Willis Library, 4th Floor, Room 437
Office Hours: I am available Monday-Friday,
Course:
5290.
Special Collections and Archives.
Selection, acquisition, preservation and use of special materials of all
kinds, including special subjects and form materials, rare materials and
manuscripts, archival materials and other materials requiring special control
and handling. Organization
and administration of special collections and archives.
Goal of the course:
This course is to introduce students
to working in special collections, factors that are unique
to special collections, and the differences between general library collections
and special materials.
Course objectives:
On completion of this course,
students should be familiar with general types of procedures common to special
collections, and have a good grounding in what factors, policies, and
circumstances may be encountered while working in Special Collections.
Methodology:
Through lectures, guest speakers,
site visits, class discussions, and readings, students will be given “insider
views” of working in special collections and how they are similar to, or differ
from, general libraries. Assignments
given to the students will enable them to demonstrate research skills and their
ability to integrate knowledge gained from various sources.
Students are expected to attend class.
Material is primarily covered by lectures and site visits, and is
difficult – if not impossible – to make-up.
If you know ahead that you are going to miss a class, let me know AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE. If an emergency comes
up, try and contact me as soon as you can to explain why you were absent. If it is a legitimate reason for missing the
class, than we can arrange for ways to make it up – an extra assignment or
project, and a time to go over materials covered in class. Unexplained absences or missing a significant
part of the class will result in a poor grade or even a failing grade for the
course.
Course calendar: *Subject to change*
Thursday August 28:
Introduction
Origins & Types of Special
Collections
Governance & Management;
Site Visit: UNT Libraries Rare
Book & Texana Collections. Visit with Mary Durio.
Thursday September 4:
Class does not meet. Start researching special collections for
site visits.
Thursday September 11:
Mission/Goals
Funding
Staffing;
Thursday September 18:
Acquisitions;
Collection Development;
Weeding;
Thursday September 25
Storage/Facilities;
Special
Needs/Equipment/Supplies;
Site Visit: Visual Resources
Collection, SOVA. Visit with Ann Graham
Thursday October 2:
Cataloging;
Preservation;
Site Visit: Media Library.
Visit with Cecilia Hurt
Thursday October 9:
Record Keeping;
Procedures;
Special Collection Description
#1 Due.
Thursday October 16:
Professional
Organizations/Networks;
Site Visit: UNT Archives. Visit
with Perri Hamilton
Thursday October 23:
Serving users – Services
provided & depth of services;
Populations; Groups; Needs;
Thursday October 30:
Public Relations;
Catalogs; Publications;
Websites;
Thursday November 6:
Exhibitions & Displays;
Thursday November 13:
Site Visit:
Thursday November 20:
Staff responsibilities;
Security;
Special Collection Description
#2 Due.
Thursday November 27:
Class does not meet –
Thanksgiving.
Thursday December 4:
Future of Special Collections
Review
Annotated Bibliography Due
Special Collection Project
Due
Thursday December 11:
Final Exam.
Text:
There is
no assigned textbook for this course.
Grades:
Student’s
course grade will be based on the following:
20% = Attendance & Class participation
20% = Special Collection
Descriptions
20% = Annotated Bibliography
20% = Special Collection
Project
20% = Final Exam
Assignments:
Assignment 1:
Special Collection descriptions. Each
student will pick two (2) special collections of some sort, and write up a
description of each one, including: history and origins of the collection, size
and type of materials collected; audience served; staff; governance structure. This is not to be an in-depth research
project on an institution per. se, but an exercise in identifying special
collections and recognizing what makes them special. You should demonstrate the ability to FIND
information, and to organize it in a coherent fashion. The first one is due on
October 9. The second is due on November
20.
Assignment 2:
Annotated Bibliography relating to Special Collections. Each student will pick a type of special
collection, or an aspect of special collections, and compile an annotated
bibliography. The bibliography should include more than just on-line sources,
and should cover materials old enough to show the evolution of that type of
collection or that issue. Due December 4.
Assignment 3:
Special Collection Project. Each student
will be “given” a special collection of materials. The students will prepare a written paper
(minimum of 8 pages, double-spaced) outlining a plan to turn the collection
into a functional special collection.
Paper should include: staffing, facilities, collection development,
acquisitions, storage, preservation, cataloging, user analysis, security,
etc. Due December 4.
Assignments are due at the beginning
of class as listed. Late assignments will be counted off 5 points per day,
unless a legitimate absence is the cause.
See attendance policy above.
Grading criteria:
The UNT scale for grading is:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 and below
Assignments
will be graded in terms of completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness. They
will also be graded in terms of proper writing, grammar, and spelling. This is a graduate level course, and students
are expected to demonstrate the ability to write properly. Excessive mistakes, misspellings, and other
“problems” will result in points being deducted. If you are having difficulties, come see me.
Academic misconduct policy:
Cheating and disciplinary action for
cheating is defined by the UNT Policy Manual Code of Student Conduct and
Discipline. Cheating is an act of
academic dishonesty. It is defined and
is to be handled as follows:
“Plagiarism and cheating refer to
the use of unauthorized books, notes or otherwise securing help in a test;
copying tests, assignments, reports or term papers; representing the work of
another as one’s own; collaborating, without authority, with another student
during an examination or in preparing academic work; or otherwise practicing
scholastic dishonesty.”
“Academic dishonesty matters may
first be considered by the faculty member who may assign penalties such as
failing, reduction or changing of a grade in a test, course, assignment, or
other academic work, denial of a degree and/or performing additional academic
work not required of other students in the course. If the student does not accept the decision
of the faculty member, he/she may have his/her case heard by the academic
department chairperson or head for review of his/her case. If the student does not accept the decision
of the academic department chairperson, he/she may then follow the normal
appeal procedures listed in Disciplinary Procedures.”
Americans with Disabilities Act compliance:
“Anyone with a disability that will
require accommodation under the terms of federal regulations must present a
written accommodation request to the instructor within eleven days after the
first class session. Copies of the
School’s ADA Compliance Policy, ADA Policy on Auxiliary Aids and Reasonable
Accommodation, and ADA Grievance Procedures are available through the main
office of the