Incorporating Archives-based Research into the Curriculum: A Collaborative and Outcomes-based Approach

Abstract

 In the last decade Special Collections and Archives at academic institutions have received a great deal of attention. Special Collections have become the area where academic libraries can distinguish themselves based on their unique holdings. Leveraging the importance of an archive’s holdings can bring about a multitude of benefits ranging from increased student engagement, to better student learning, to donors funding research awards. In this paper, the author will discuss ways in which Special Collections librarians and archivists are uniquely positioned to form collaborations across campus to provide rich and engaging student learning experiences. She will further discuss practical ways in which teaching with primary sources can provide avenues for outcomes-based learning as well as how instruction can be taken beyond the classroom to showcase student learning to campus constituencies and donors.