This “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) answers common queries about careers, conferences, and professional development in the special collections field.
(photo: RBMS Shutterbugs, New Orleans 2018)
This page is maintained by the Membership and Professional Development Committee of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). It was last updated in October 2019 after collaborative discussion with representatives of the RBMS Diversity Committee, and additional member feedback.
*Got an image or other suggestion for this page? Please let us know! Drop us a line at membership@rbms.info
Looking for firsthand views from working special collections professionals? Consider:
- Bright Young Librarians, Bright Young Collectors, and Bright Young Things, interview series from Fine Books & Collections magazine, featuring early-career and emerging individuals in the field
- Follow the RSS feeds for the Bright Young series
- Diversity Stories – started in 2017 by the RBMS Diversity Committee, RBMS Diversity Stories is an ongoing oral history project “for people of color and others working in the world of special collections, archives and rare books”. Listen to the interviews via StoryCorps!
- How I Started – via the Section for New Professionals (SfNP) blog, How I Started is distributed by the Archives and Records Association (ARA) UK & Ireland and features interviews with professionals in the field
Positions in this field may include:
- Special Collections Librarians – generally work with a variety of original primary source materials, including rare books, manuscripts, archives, and photographs that require specialized storage. They often have multiple job responsibilities including among others collection development, reference, cataloging, preservation, instruction, and outreach.
- Rare Book Librarians – typically work with published materials from both the hand-press and machine-press periods. Although rare books are not easy to define, the criteria used to identify them is usually based on age, financial value, number of copies extant, and provenance. See “Your Old Books” for more information on classifying books as “rare”.
- Archivists – responsible for establishing and maintaining control, both physical and intellectual, over records and papers of enduring value created by individuals, families, and institutions. See the Society of American Archivists’ (SAA) “So You Want to be an Archivist” for further information.
- Conservators – responsible for the long- term preservation of artistic and cultural artifacts. They do this by analyzing and assessing the condition of cultural property, understanding processes and evidence of deterioration, planning collections care or site management strategies that prevent damage, carrying out conservation treatments, and conducting research in all of the areas previously indicated. Conservation is an interdisciplinary field involving studio practices, sciences, and the humanities. See the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. Careers Resources and the Canadian Association for Conservation for more information.
- Curator/Liaison Librarians – librarians in academia sometimes have dual/joint roles at their institutions. Liaison librarians are “assigned to a department(s) on campus based on their educational background or experience. They are expected to serve as a communication bridge between the library system and their department(s) and vice versa in order to provide support for teaching, learning, and research. There are many roles for librarian liaisons in providing instruction sessions, research support, and collection development for their departments.” (–Wayne State University.)
- Curators – content specialists who oversee and interpret a cultural heritage institution’s collections. Curator positions often focus on a specific format such as textual materials (manuscript curators or photograph curators) or subject area (Pop Culture, Graphic Arts, Modern Languages). See the Society of American Archivists Glossary for more information.
Education & Financial Assistance
- I am an undergraduate interested in pursuing a career in special collections librarianship. What courses and/or volunteer activities might help me to prepare for this?
- What qualifications do I need to become a special collections librarian?
- Which institutions offer accredited library science programs?
- What education is required to obtain a job in special collections librarianship? Is a second advanced degree required?
- Which library schools offer courses in special collections librarianship?
- Where can I find continuing education resources for librarians interested in special collections librarianship?
- What are some other websites I can visit to learn more about rare books and manuscripts and the special collections profession?
Skills
- What knowledge or skills are recommended for a successful career in special collections librarianship?
- What can I do while in library school to give me an edge in the field?
- What sorts of technical skills do I need to be competitive in the world of special collections librarianship?
- I enjoy working on digital projects and learning about technology applications and issues. Would these interests be useful in a special collections position?
- I’m not sure yet whether I want to work in a library, archive, or museum. Are the skills needed for one setting transferable to the others?
- I’m interested in the preservation and conservation of rare materials. Where can I go for more information?
- Can you point me to online resources and tools for cataloging?
Job Resources
- Where can I find listings for rare book, special collections, and archivist positions?
- What types of positions are available in special collections librarianship?
- I’m thinking of becoming an archivist. Where can I learn what it’s like to work in the field?
- I found a job listing that asks for three years of professional experience. I don’t have that much experience. Should I still apply?
- I don’t have any experience working in an academic library. Can I still apply to positions in academic institutions?
- Are there any networks or discussion groups for new special collections professionals?
- Can you recommend any resources to help people in historically under-represented groups begin careers in special collections?
Involvement in RBMS and Conferences
- What is RBMS and what does it do?
- Where can I find out how to join RBMS?
- How can I become more involved in RBMS?
- How often do RBMS committees meet?
- How can I tell which committee is the right one for me to join?
- Are there conferences for special collections professionals?
- What is the difference between the RBMS Conference and the ALA Annual and Midwinter meetings? Which one(s) should I attend?
- I can’t afford to attend RBMS or SAA conferences. Are there any scholarships available?
- I am interested in reading more about an RBMS Conference or conference program that has been held in the past. Are published proceedings available?
Other Resources
- Are there any electronic discussion lists that address current issues in special collections librarianship?
- I’d like to read articles relevant to the field of rare books and manuscripts, and/or I’m interested in publishing. Does RBMS have its own journal?
- Is there anyone I can talk to with questions I have about the profession?