For many academic art libraries, restricted collections, housed in a separate branch library or not, pose a variety of challenges related to organizational structure and partnerships, censorship, and access controls. These protected collections may comprise artists' books, zines, "medium rare" art books, erotica, titles or objects consisting of multiple loose pieces, and other sensitive or mixed-value materials; they can present a distinct challenge when the specific role or value of these collections are brought into question, and these items can be impossible to replace if lost or damaged. This panel presents a variety of transformative solutions, provocations, and inquiries in response to the issue of what, exactly, to do with or how to manage restricted access art library collections. In attempting to implement consistent practices and policies governing these collections, we acknowledge that they inhabit gray areas necessitating iteration, exceptions, and divergences within our institutions. Art librarians must continually re-examine their relationships to constituents, colleagues, administrators, and consortial partners in order to sustainably and efficiently grow and manage collections and services which straddle art/architecture/design libraries and special collections. The presenters acknowledge historic circulation and access practices in such collections while addressing evolving issues related to restricted or challenging content, traditional departmental silos, and equitable collection management practices.
Sponsored byPhillips Library, Peabody Essex MuseumUniversity of Iowa Libraries
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