Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections Libraries. By Jessica Lacher-Feldman. [Review]

Abstract

In 2008, to provide continuity across the profession and acknowledge skills needed for effective stewardship of special collections materials, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) approved Competencies for Special Collections Professionals. This document explicitly contends that those responsible for special collections materials must be “committed to promoting the appreciation and use of special collections materials to a variety of audiences. . . . ” and “skilled in planning and implementing programs and publications that promote and interpret collections, such as exhibits. . . . ” Indeed, at one time or another, most archivists and special collections librarians face curating a display or exhibit. Despite this, modern resources on exhibit preparation geared to special collections are lacking, leaving staff to glean guidance from general library exhibit publications or to turn to colleagues in the museum field for the most current materials on exhibits. Jessica Lacher-Feldman’s book, Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections Libraries, attempts to fill this void in the literature.