Approaches to using archival and special
collections in information literacy
programmes:
Experiences at Maynooth University
Barbara McCormack
LILAC 2015
Outline
• Special collections – instruction, primary sources, space
• Maynooth University Library – Russell & JPII Libraries
• Aspects of special collections instruction
• Learning outcomes
• Undergraduate instruction & case study
• Postgraduate instruction & case study
• Conclusion
• References
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Special collections & teaching• Special collections librarians and archivists are typically involved in
the following teaching delivery and support activities:
– Facilitating access to information
– Conducting reference interviews
– Developing lesson plans
– Facilitating orientation
– Delivering course-based instruction
• The main focus of information literacy instruction in this regard is:
– The identification and evaluation of primary sources
– The development of research skills and critical analysis of sources
Magia G. Krause, 2010
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Using primary sources
Primary source instruction enables the development of transferable skills including:
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Evaluation of sources
• Teamwork and communication
• Ability to construct evidence-based arguments
Anne Bahde, 2014
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
Teaching sessions
• “When the goal of a course-specificlibrary workshop is to bring the research process alive, the instruction cannot be a simple lecture.”
Roberts & Taormina, 2013
• Potential for dynamic sessions with practical, hands-on elements
• Facilitates active learning approaches
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
The learning space
• Hubbard and Lotts (2013) suggest that information literacy practitioners can use Special Collections to engage with students through “hands-on experience, and the act of leaving the classroom to visit a new space”
• Maynooth University is very fortunate to have two unique spaces for Special Collections: the historic Russell Library and the recently extended John Paul II Library
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Russell Library
• Research library with collections spanning ten centuries
• Houses the historical collections of St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth
• Pugin designed reading room completed in 1861
• 34,000 printed works (1470-1850)
• 2,500 Bibles (in 600 languages)
• 12,000 pamphlets
• 50,000+ archival documents
• 300+ Gaelic manuscripts
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
John Paul II Library
• New state-of-the-art reading room and environmentally controlled secure store area
• Houses the historical collections of Maynooth University
• Approx. 3,600 rare and early printed works (pre-1850)
• Approx. 4,500 printed works (post-1850)
• Over 1,000 pamphlets
• Extensive archival collections
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Aspects of special collections instruction
Tours
Subject specific lectures
Workshops and demonstrations
Exhibitions and events
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Learning outcomes
Collection skills
• Handling techniques
• Consultation process
• Analysis of formats
• Preservation and conservation
Research skills
• Identifying sources
• Critical evaluation
• Finding aids
• Primary vs. secondary sources
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Undergraduate instruction
Manuscript to Print
Maps in History
Practising History
Literature and Society in Seventeenth Century Ireland
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Undergraduate instruction – case study
• ID004 : ‘Cultural heritage & the Irish literary tradition’
• Certificate for Irish Cultural Heritage
• 5 credit module delivered by School of Celtic Studies with input from the Library
• Topics include:
– Manuscript production and tradition
– Illumination and other decoration
– Manuscript writing
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
ID004 Library instruction
Week Topic
Week One Calligraphy demonstration and workshop in the Russell Library with renowned Irish calligrapher Tim O’Neill
Week Two Lecture delivered by special collections librarian relating to manuscript tradition and physical characteristics
Week Three Supervised consultation of Gaelic manuscripts and submission of assignments
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
ID004 Assessment questions
Space
• What were your general impressions of the Russell Library?
• What kind of collections are housed there?
Item
• What manuscript did you look at?
• What kind of access did you have to it?
Analysis
• Did you find any evidence of conservation repairs?
• Was the text written on paper or parchment?
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Postgraduate instruction
History of Irish Theatre Production
MLITT Research Tutorial
Research Methodologies & Thesis Preparation
Introduction to Palaeography
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Postgraduate instruction – case study
• HY618: ‘Book Collections in Archives’
• Delivered by Mr. Hugh Murphy, Senior Librarian, Collection Management Services and Ms. Barbara McCormack, Assistant Librarian, Special Collections & Archives
• 5 Credit module as part of the MA Historical Archives
• Level 9 (Masters)
• 12 lecture hours including practical sessions onsite and one offsite visit
• Planned learning activities 12 hours and independent student activities 12 hours
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
HY618 Class schedule
Date Topic
Week 1 (i) Introduction(ii) Manuscript tradition
Week 2 (i) History of Print(ii) Printing in Ireland
Week 3 Practical ‘hands-on’ session
Week 4 Visit to Dublin City Library & Archive, National Print Museum
Week 5 Resource Description for Print
Week 6 (i) Curatorial Roles – Print to online(ii) Review
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
HY618 Module aims
This module aims to:
• Foster an understanding and appreciation of rare and unique collections
• Develop navigational skills in terms of finding aids and catalogues
• Equip students with resource description skills
• Facilitate the evaluation of printed items in archival collections
• Enable a comprehensive analysis of physical characteristics of different formats (manuscript, print, and archival)
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
HY618 Learning outcomes
• Understand the key stages in the development of print and its relationship with manuscript and incunabula
• Understand the key stages in the tradition of print in Ireland
• Differentiate between the different types of catalogues (traditional and electronic formats)
• Create a bibliographic record to a level appropriate to that item and to the repository in which it is held
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
Pamphlet assignment
• Students are asked to select an 18th or 19th century pamphlet in the English language from Library collections
• Students consult their chosen pamphlet in Special Collections
• A short report is written outlining:
– Bibliographic information
– Provenance
– Physical condition
• Involves an analysis of both the physical object and associated finding aid(s)
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
Incunabula assignment
Students are asked to consult an early printed work and write a short report noting some or all of the following:
– Decoration and illustration
– Annotations
– Shelf-marks
– Binding
– Claps and ties
– General condition
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
Exhibition assignment
Students are asked to visit an exhibition and write a short report on the following aspects:
– Exhibition themes
– Target audience
– Promotion of the exhibition
– Case labels
– Exhibition layout
– Floor plan(s)
– Catalogues or handouts
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
Resource description assignment
• Part 1: students are asked to write a report discussing the following:
– Impact of resource description on findability and promotion
– Merits of hybrid cataloguing
– Difference between primary and secondary sources
• Part 2: students are asked to analyse a series of bibliographic records and identify various MARC fields
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
Photo courtesy of Alan Monahan
Conclusion • Special collections librarians and archivists are educators
as well as facilitators
• Primary source material provides opportunities for active learning in terms of library instruction
• Special collections librarians can collaborate with subject librarians to deliver IL programmes
• Information literacy sessions in special collections can be delivered as ‘one-off’ sessions or a series of lectures, workshops, and tours over a semester or academic year
• Further study is needed in terms of the impact of special collections instruction
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
References
• Bahde, A 2014, ‘The History Labs: Integrating Primary Source Literacy Skills into a History Survey Course’, Journal of Archival Organization, 11, 3-4, pp. 175-204, DOI: 10.1080/15332748.2013.951254
• Hubbard, MA and Lotts, M 2013, ‘Special Collections, Primary Resources, and Information Literacy Pedagogy’, Communications in Information Literacy, 7, 1.
• Krause, MG 2010, '"It Makes History Alive for them": the Role of Archivists and Special Collections Librarians in Instructing Undergraduates', Journal Of Academic Librarianship, 36, 5, pp. 401-411, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 19 March 2015.
• Lee Roberts, R and Taormina, M 2013, ‘Collaborative Co-Design for Library Workshops’, Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian, 32, 1, pp. 46-56, DOI: 10.1080/01639269.2013.755875
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library