Archives & Special Collections Interest Group
The section's goals are to provide a forum to discuss issues related to special collection and archives; to provide a means of communication for members of the field; and to sponsor workshops and conference sessions on issues related to local collections as well as special collections and archives in general.
Along with creating a group to allow experts to network, a vital goal is to connect experts with librarians responsible for special materials but without prior training or experience. Speakers will be invited to share knowledge on specific subjects. Our activities include sponsorship of programs at the MLA conferences on such diverse topics as rare book cataloging, finding aids, bibliographic instruction, library outreach, conservation/preservation methods and book repair. Activities also include day-long stand-alone programs on topics of current interest including digital archives, electronic preservation, arrangement and description, and web design for archivist to name a few.