LibGuides: Exploring Special Collections Instruction Sessions: A Guide for Faculty: Additional Resources and Articles on Historical Research and Instruction Sessions

Additional Resources

Build it and they will come: integrating unique collections and undergraduate research
The author challenges traditional special collections approaches, advocating for active user engagement over simple preservation. CSU Channel Islands prioritizes student and faculty interaction with materials through undergraduate research, improving retention and graduation rates. Their model emphasizes practical use alongside digitization efforts.
Collaboration Between Faculty and Special Collections Librarians in Inquiry-Driven Classes
This paper describes enhancing information literacy for English majors through progressive special collections assignments. The approach combines archival, electronic, and print materials to develop advanced research skills through faculty-librarian collaboration.
Collaborative Curation: Best Practices for Student Exhibits with Large Classes
The authors outline strategies for managing large-scale student exhibits in special collections, based on University of Michigan experiences. Success requires early planning, collaboration, progressive instruction, careful material selection, and integrated assessment.
Evaluating and Addressing the Special Collections Needs of Rhetoric and Composition Instructors in University First-Year Writing Programs
This paper explores strengthening special collections instruction in first-year writing through faculty-librarian partnerships. Based on UNC faculty interviews, the study examines curriculum integration and digital learning tools to create meaningful archival engagement while addressing accessibility concerns.
Fostering creativity using special library collections: A case study of the Arthur & Mata Jaffe Center for the Book Arts

Going to the Sources by Anthony Brundage
ISBN: 9781119262749
Publication Date: 2017-06-26
It's been almost 30 years since the first edition of Going to the Sources: A Guide to Historical Research and Writing was first published. Newly revised and updated, the sixth edition of this bestselling guide helps students at all levels meet the challenge of writing their first (or their first "real") research paper. Presenting various schools of thought, this useful tool explores the dynamic, nature, and professional history of research papers, and shows readers how to identify, find, and evaluate both primary and secondary sources for their own writing assignments. This new edition addresses the shifting nature of historical study over the last twenty years. Going to the Sources: A Guide to Historical Research and Writing includes: A new section analyzing attempts by authors of historical works to identify and cultivate the appropriate public for their writings, from scholars appealing to a small circle of fellow specialists, to popular authors seeking mass readership A handy style guide for creating footnotes, endnotes, bibliographical entries, as well as a list of commonly used abbreviations Advanced Placement high school and undergraduate college students taking history courses at every level will benefit from the engaging, thoughtful, and down-to-earth advice within this hands-on guide.

Guided Resource Inquiries: Integrating Archives into Course Learning and Information Literacy Objectives
The paper discusses a solution for students at CSU Northridge who struggle with primary source research. The authors developed a Guided Resource Inquiry tool that combines course assignments with information literacy tutorials in one interface. The tool helps students better understand and analyze primary sources while building research skills. Results showed improved student comprehension and increased likelihood of using archival materials in future research.
Mind the Gap: Integrating Special Collections Teaching
The paper examines how special collections librarians can better integrate their teaching with general library instruction. While archival instruction presents unique challenges, the authors share successful collaborative approaches from their institution that maintain the distinct value of special collections teaching while connecting with broader library instruction goals.
New Faces, Old Materials: Engaging First Year Students in Archives in Special Collections
This slideshow was created by First Year Experience Librarian and Learning Design Coordinator, Hali Black and Jennifer Brannock, Curator of Rare Books and Mississippiana, from the University of Southern Mississippi, and shows creative ways to utilize Special Collections.
Science Instruction Through the Visual Arts in Special Collections
The paper describes CU-Boulder librarians' efforts to enhance science education through special collections materials. Working with science faculty, they developed an active learning program using historic and visual scientific materials to improve undergraduate science learning. The program creates opportunities for collaborative, student-driven engagement with rare and artistic scientific works.
Special Collections in the Classroom: Embedding Special Collections in an Undergraduate History Writing Class
The paper documents a long-term collaboration between special collections and history faculty at Vanderbilt University. What began as a single instruction session evolved into a 10-week embedded research experience for undergraduate history students. The article outlines this transformation, including practical management strategies, student support methods, and recommendations for implementing similar programs.
Teaching Creative Writing in Special Collections
This article discusses the growth of creative writing programs the important implications for English faculty. By introducing students to materials like book objects and manuscripts, faculty can help students explore the writing process and communities within the larger context of their coursework. As creative writing becomes increasingly important to English departments, these Special Collections sessions allow faculty to engage this growing student population.