Those working with special collections and archives in academia will find a valuable new resource in Dr. Jae Rossman’s Access to Special Collections and Archives, published by Rowman and Littlefield. Rossman is the associate director for Special Collections Instruction and Research Services at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University. Drawing on over two decades of professional experience in and rigorous research, Rossman offers both historical context and new conceptual frameworks to guide access decisions.
Using grounded theory, Rossman examines how perceptions of access have evolved from the 1930s to the present, shaped by shifting professional values, outreach, and technology. The book introduces two key models:
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Aspects of Access, outlining ten interrelated components (including diversity, engagement, preservation, and technology), and
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The Gatekeeping Model of Access, offering a new way to understand how institutions either enable or hinder access through their practices.
Rossman’s work is especially relevant for libraries balancing the sometimes competing demands of preservation and access, and for those seeking to make their collections more inclusive and responsive to diverse communities. Her reflections on how access practices intersect with institutional culture, reader engagement, and evolving research needs are both timely and practical.
Read more or order the book here: Rowman & Littlefield – Access to Special Collections and Archives
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