This section outlines differences between libraries and special collections through the following categories:
Content
Libraries provide access to published materials such as books, scores, published recordings, films, etc. Archives hold unique and rare materials such as manuscripts, field recordings, photographs, and more. The nature of these materials make them more challenging to make accessible they often come with special preservation needs. For example, items may need special equipment to be used, or they could be damaged and in need of repair. In some cases copies can be made, but in other cases, researches can only access archival content on site.
Organization
Libraries are typically arranged by subject such as “history” and then broken down into sub-classifications such as “American history”, “American history—20th century”, etc. Because of the way they are organized, users can easily browse through library catalogs or shelves to find items based around a particular topic. In contrast, archival resources are arranged in groups by provenance. Provenance groups materials by context -- who collected the items, where, why and how all of the individual items came to be together. These groups become “collections” usually titled after the collector or the focus of the collection. For example, “Alice Gerrard Collection”. Collections have finding aids to help researchers understand the scope and content of each collection. You can still search an archive by subject, but the results will likely list collections that are relevant to that subject, rather than providing a list of individual items. For researchers new to archives, this method of organization can be confusing and overwhelming at first. Being overwhelmed is okay, and you can always ask an archivist for assistance!
Access
At a library, patrons can borrow items to take home and return later. While some archival materials are digitized and accessible remotely, the original physical items do not circulate and require access by consulting an archivist or scheduling an in-person visit. All of this may seem like a barrier to access, archivists are here to help and want you to use the archive! Knowing how archives work will also help you better understand how to access materials at an archive.
This LibGuide utilizes resources from Wilson Library Special Collections and the Music Library. Because of this, some of the materials will be available to check out through the library or to stream online, while other items will be available by request only.
When finding a special collection in the catalog, the title of the collection will be listed with “archival and manuscript material”. Clicking on the resource will provide an overview of the collection, but the most helpful tool is the finding aid. Clicking on “finding aid” opens a different page that gives more detailed information about that particular collection and its contents. Some finding aids include digitized materials, while others require a scheduled visit.
Unlike a library, an archive contains primary source materials that are unique and often fragile. Requesting material from a special collection may involve scheduling an appointment to look at the material in person, or receiving a copy.