Special Libraries An Overview by Jacqueline Liu Devon

Special Libraries: An Overview by Jacqueline Liu, Devon Lowery, Mary Johnson, Matthew Woods LIBR 200 -03, Spring 2012 School of Library and Information Science San Jose State University

What is a special library? • • A "special library" covers a wide range of different types of libraries According to Ellis Mount (as cited in Rubin, 2010, p. 211), special libraries are "information organizations sponsored by private companies, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations or professional associations. "

What is a special library? • The six characteristics as defined by White (1984) include: o emphasize the provision of information for practical purposes rather than instruction on how to find information or a physical document o generally involve the librarian researching and finding the answer for a client, rather than the client expecting to locate the answer with the librarian's assistance. o tend to give librarians autonomy because those requesting the information are unfamiliar with the function of information centers o tend to have a relatively small number of users and restricted access to relatively small, but highly specialized collections o are directly and narrowly related to the mission of the organization in which they are located, and must regularly demonstrate their usefulness to survive o involve management oriented to the goals of the larger organization rather than the library, and the library staff itself represents only a small fraction of the total organizational workforce

Introduction According to the SLA website (www. sla. org) , special librarians perform the following duties: • • Preparing research reports in response to staff requests for specific information Gathering competitive intelligence Identifying research done at other organizations to avoid unnecessary duplication Verifying facts for external and internal reports and publications Creating databases for organizations to access their internal information Searching patents and trademarks Evaluating and comparing information software and sources of data prior to purchase Training other staff to efficiently and cost-effectively use online databases

Introduction Special Libraries are undergoing a renaissance as the defining organization the, Special Libraries Association, is currently re-branding themselves and re-defining the overall definition of the organization as technology changes the field. Librarians are redefining what it means to be a specialized librarian through the growth and development of change in their fields. There is a huge industry of non-traditional information professionals and SLA is really encouraging members to define what that means for themselves.

Special Libraries Association (SLA) • • • Established in 1909 The SLA Vision - The Special Libraries Association is the global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. Redefining what it means to be a librarian or information professional "Special librarians are information resource experts who collect, analyze, evaluate, package, and disseminate information to facilitate accurate decision-making in corporate, academic, and government settings" (Special Libraries Association, 2009 a). Divided into 50 divisions (Special Libraries Association, 2009 b).

Examples: Medical Law Horticulture Art Music Nursing Seed lending Tool lending Science museum Minority group Religious/theological Broadcast / TV / radio / News station Prison / jail Military Corporate

Presentation structure For this presentation, our group has chosen to focus on the special libraries which you will see through our various focuses: medical, seed, art, and prison libraries; covering many different specialized sets of knowledge. A definition which applies to all of these (and more): special libraries are where the librarians in a specialized setting work towards the goals of their organizations.

In this presentation we'll highlight. . . …science museum… …seed… …jail/prison… …and art libraries as a selection of specialized libraries which each have their own issues related to their specific fields.

Science Museum Libraries Introduction • Science museums generally come in two types o Natural history museums, such as the California Academy of Sciences o Science/technology museums, such as the Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA • "[The stereotype is] that [science museums] are all about hands-on education and [natural history museums] all about research and collections. However, natural history museums often have active, highly developed education / outreach / hands-on programming, and science centers often host research and various types of collections as well. " -- Rebecca Morin Image source: California Academy of Sciences: Academy Library. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //research. calacademy. org/site s/research. calacademy. org/themes/research/images/logo. png Image source: Exploratorium Institute for Inquiry: Library (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //www. exploratorium. edu/ifi/library/

Science Museum Libraries Mission • • The goal of a science museum library is to aid the museum in research relating to its specialty. o For example, a zoo museum helps in the study of animal conservation. "Within the world of special science libraries, zoo and aquarium libraries have an especially narrow focus and purpose. Nevertheless, they play an important part in the functioning of their parent institutions, which currently emphasize their roles in education, conservation, and research. " (Dorothy Barr, 2005). Academy Library at California Academy of Sciences. Image source: Library Project (2012). Retrieved from http: //ilibraryproject. org/2012/01/12/the-bustle-of-busylibraries/dsc_0380/

Science Museum Libraries Mission, continued The Academy [of Sciences] Library serves the research and educational needs of all Academy staff, docents, volunteers, members, educators and students, and the community at large. Our mission is to facilitate access to scientific information and Academy history (California Academy of Sciences, 2012). Image: Broken. Sphere. (2009). A sign in front of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Retrieved from http: //commons. wikimedia. org/wiki/File: CA_Academy_of_Sciences_sign. JPG

Science Museum Libraries Mission, continued • • • AMNH Research Library Unique and extensive collection of natural science books, journals, archives, photographs, moving images, art and Museum memorabilia. Fosters intellectual growth and support the research, teaching, and educational activities of the Museum. Acquires, organizes, preserves and makes available collections of scholarly materials in all formats to Museum staff, students, the wider scientific community and the general public. (American Museum of Natural History, 2012) Image source: AMHN Research Library. (2012). Retrieved from http: //library. amnh. org/sites/library. amnh. org/themes/ library/header. Background. jpg

Science Museum Libraries Primary users • • Museum staff Volunteers Museum members with special privileges "Museum's scientific staff and any students that are affiliated with the Museum. " --Mei Qaraman (personal communication, April 18, 2012). Image source: Wroughton Library & Archives at the Science Museum in London, England. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //www. sciencemuseum. org. uk/about_us/about_the_museu m/science_library/visit_library_wroughton. aspx "A well-stocked, well-staffed library is crucial in providing needed information in an accessible and timely manner to all staff, according to their various functions. The reputation of any institution which does not keep up with advances in knowledge will lose credibility and ultimately suffer, very likely, with effects on attendance and funding" (Dorothy Barr, 2005).

Science Museum Libraries Organization • Museum libraries are. . . o. . . always part of a larger organization o. . . pure research and archival organs "Within the larger museum, the library falls under the Science Division and our Library Director reports directly to the Provost for Science. " --Mei Qaraman (personal communication, April 18, 2012). Image: The Natural History Museum. (2012). The Earth Sciences Library at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, U. K. Retrieved from http: //www. nhm. ac. uk/nature-online/british-natural-history/uk-biodiversity-portal/the-marmont-centre/librarybiodiversity/index. html

Science Museum Libraries Issues o Money and staff (non-profit) o Working within the demands for digitization § o Rights management (just because it is online doesn't mean it's free or you can do whatever you want with it) § o Digitize photographs from the Archives and some publications as part of the Biodiversity Heritage Library project, but there is an expectation that everything is online, including archival materials, and that's not the case at all. Encounter rights management issues mainly with own collections. The growing expenses of materials from big academic publishers -Rebecca Morin (personal communication, April 16, 2012)

Science Museum Libraries Issues, continued "Currently the biggest single issue we are facing is the rising cost of e-journal subscriptions especially in the current economic climate. " -- Mei Qaraman (personal communication, April 18, 2012) Image: The Regents of the University of California. (2012). Retrieved from http: //www. library. ucsf. edu/content/journals-being-considered-cancellation

Science Museum Libraries Trends • "As far as trends, we find ourselves moving to remote services more and more. We have a geographically distributed patron base, and many of them can't come to the library as much as they'd like. Online reference and provision of services in a digital environment is very important. " -Rebecca Morin (personal communication, April 16, 2012) • "A significant trend in academic libraries that we are also focusing on here is creating and implementing a comprehensive digital strategy to provide wider access to collections in a way that is both sustainable and expandable. We are in process of creating our own digital strategy but it is not complete yet. " -- Mei Qaraman (personal communication, April 18, 2012)

Seed Libraries What’s a seed library? • Library patrons “borrow” seeds for free. • Check out seeds. Plant the seeds, save the seeds at harvest, then return some of these next generation seeds for others to borrow. • No late fees! (Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library, n. d. a) Watch the above video to learn how to "borrow" seeds. BASILseeds. (2011, January 22). BASIL Seed Interchange Library orientation [Video file]. Retrieved from http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Jx. Dc 7 e. OVc. NQ

Seed Libraries Mission • • “The Seed Library offers the library the opportunity to promote urban sustainable organic gardening in our neighborhoods by disseminating seeds. ” -- Lia Hillman, manager of the SFPL Potrero branch (as cited in Landgraf, 2011). Image source: Ecology Center. (n. d. ). Retreived from http: //ecologycenter. org/terrain/blog/new-seed-libraryin-east-palo-alto/ "To increase the capacity of our community to feed itself wholesome food by being an accessible and free source of locally adapted plant seeds, supplied and cultivated by and for Richmond area residents" (Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library, n. d. b). • To create sustainable food systems and communities and conserve the remaining genetic diversity of the planet's seed stock (Ecology Center, n. d. ). Image source: Transition. SF. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //www. transitionsf. org/food-group-main-page/seedlibrary

Seed Libraries "If you plant a seed, you get a thousand in return. " --Rebecca Newburn, cofounder and coordinator of Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library (as cited in Kimble-Evans, 2011). Users and their impacts • Users of seed libraries are the general public, people new to gardening, experienced home gardeners, and farmers. • Seed libraries are living collections that change every time a gardener returns seeds. Because each grower saves seeds from the most productive, healthiest plants, the varieties become more adapted to the specific bioregion with each generation (Kimble-Evans, 2011). • Patrons learn to grow their own food, save money on groceries, and may even sell some of what they've grown in their local farmer's market (Uhila, 2011). Image source: I’m starting a seed library at my library. (2011). Retrieved from http: //pcsweeney. com/2011/04/12 /im-starting-a-seed-library-at-my-library/

Seed Libraries Partnership with Local Community Groups • San Francisco Seed Library o Two branches: § o Inside SFPL in Potrero Hill branch § Hayes Valley Farm a volunteer supported project of Transition. SF, SF Public Library Green Stacks Program and the Permaculture Guild--community groups and projects dedicated to environmental conservation, community empowerment, sustainability, and green living (San Francisco Seed Library, n. d. ). Image source: San Francisco Seed Library. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //www. sfseedlibrary. org/about-us

Seed Libraries Partnership with Local Community Groups • Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library o A collaborative project of Richmond Public Library, Richmond Rivets, and Urban Tilth o Housed in the main branch of the Richmond Public Library o Maintained by volunteers and supported by donations o With the help of other sister seed libraries, Richmond Grows created Our Seeds--a national organization supporting existing and emerging seed libraries (Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library, n. d. c. ). Image source: Urban Tilth. (2008). Retrieved from http: //www. urbantilth. org/aboutus/ Image source: Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //www. richmondgrowsseeds. org/hoursand-location. html Image source: Our Seeds. (2012). Retrieved from http: //ourseeds. wikispaces. com/

Seed Libraries. . . are not a fad, they've been around. Bay Area Seed Interchange Library (BASIL) in Berkeley, CA has been lending seeds to visitors of the local Ecology Center for 12 years (Kimble-Evans, 2011). Image source: Bay Area Seed Interchange Library. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //www. ecologycenter. org/ basil/images/jpegs/gourdseeds. jpg Image source: Opening day for East Palo Alto's Seed Library. East Palo Alto Today. (2011). Retrieved from http: //www. epatoday. org /news/2011/april_2011/plant_it_grow_it_1374. html

Jail/Prison Libraries What is a jail/prison library? • In California, large amounts of people are incarcerated each year o o o • • Adult in-prison population 162, 821 Juvenile in-(state) prison population 1, 254 Juvenile jail population A library for incarcerated individuals May be a part of county system of libraries (county jails) or separate (prison libraries run by California Department of Corrections)

Jail/Prison Libraries Issues concerning libraries in correctional facilities Safety Funding Censorship Legal Requirements (Bounds v. Smith) • • Image source: Crawford Sheriff's Department. http: //www. crawfordsheriff. org/images/Jpgs/Jail/Library. JPG

Jail/Prison Libraries Innovative Programs Part of the education system Alameda County Library • • • o Contra Costa County o • Reading for Life Tutors, Mentors and Library Aides Portland o Between the Lines Literacy Program Image source: Benedict Center. (2010). Jail book club. Retrieved from http: //www. benedictcenter. org/Detention%20 Libraries

Art Libraries What is an art library? -a specialized collection related to visual arts often found in museums or research centers -these specialized collections can include research resources as well as study collections such as artist books, multiples and ephemera that exists outside of a permanent collection such as one which a registrar in a museum might oversee. -they are often connected in missions to architectural libraries

Art Libraries Mission & History -missions vary in differing institutions but the Art Librarians founded in 1972 by the art organization Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLISNA) inspired by the establishment of the Art Libraries Society in 1969 in UK and Ireland really established the profession. -art libraries expand beyond being sites for information seeking and directed research and become spaces of exploration and inspiration. -library as Wunderkammer Image source: Museum of Contemporary African Art-The Library, Meschac Gaba at Witte de With, Rotterdam. (2001). An example of art-meets-library, design and art influence on design. An artist's exploration of museum spaces, in this instance the artist examines the role of the library, the container of selected media information.

Art Libraries partnerships/innovation -art libraries have a tendency to express themselves through architecture as a promotion of identity. -museums -academic institutions -visual archives -specialized 'multiple/object collections' -rare magazines, manuscripts Image of Tama Art University Library, 2007, architect Toyo Ito, an example of architecture reflecting mission of special library. http: //www. indesignlive. com/articles/toyo-ito-australian-tour#axzz 1 u. KMg. Tfh. H

Art Libraries Users and their impacts -opportunity for users to engage with rare and unique collections. -exposure to visual histories Image: Ghigos Ideas. (2011). Retrieved from http: //coolboom. net/interior-design/art-library/

References Devon http: //www. sla. org/ California Department of Correction Annual Report - http: //www. cdcr. ca. gov/News/docs/2011_Annual_Report_FINAL. pdf http: //www. juniorleagueofportland. org/? nd=between_the_lines http: //www. oregonlive. com/living/index. ssf/2008/11/a_mothers_bedtime_story_told_f. html (listed as Muldoon, K. ) Clark, S. , & Mac. Creaigh, E. (2006). Library services to the incarcerated: Applying the public library model in correctional facility libraries. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. http: //www. library. ca. gov/newsletter/2003/CSL_Connection_0303. pdf (listed as Dalton, S. ) Matthew Barr, D (2005): Zoo and Aquarium Libraries, Science & Technology Libraries, 25: 3, 71 -87 Mei Qaraman (personal communication, April 18, 2012). Cited in-text. Rebecca Morin (personal communication, April 16, 2012). Cited in-text.

References Mary Ellyn http: //www. arlisna. org (Done = green; --Jackie) Brown, J. M. (2011). Demonstrating Library Value: Examples and Applications for Arts Libraries. Art Documentation, 30(1), 48 -53. Aurand, M. (2011). Teaching and Learning with Collections: The Library as a Site for Exploration and Inspiration. Art Documentation, 30(1), 12 -20. Rose-Sandler, T. , & Abrams, L. (2010). University of California, San Diego, Arts Library Renovation. Visual Resources Association Bulletin, 37(2), 36 -43. Lawes, E. , & Olsson, T. (2011). Reclassification at Chelsea College of Art & Design Library. Art Libraries Journal, 36(4), 34 -40. Versteeg, M. (2009). Two decades of change in Dutch university art libraries. Art Libraries Journal, 34(4), 24 -28. Uralman, H. (2010). The library of Istanbul Museum of Modern Art: a new type of art museum library for Turkey. Art Libraries Journal, 35(2), 30 -34. Dirker, M. (2009). The library as a breeding place for inspiration: art academy libraries in the Netherlands. Art Libraries Journal, 34(4), 19 -23.

References Hatheway, H. (2009). A Lesson in Semantics: Creating an Access Services Program in an Arts Library. Art Documentation, 28(2), 54 -57. Vestermark, J. (2011). History of the rise and progress of the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library at Yale University. Art Libraries Journal, 36(2), 5 -11. Elk, J. (2009). Small specialist art libraries in Dutch museums: two for ceramics, one textiles and one sculpture. Art Libraries Journal, 34(4), 8 -13. Caizzi, C. , & Rockenbach, B. (2010). New Challenges, New Directions. Visual Resources Association Bulletin, 37(2), 7 -12. Weijsenfeld, C. , & Wolffe, M. (2009). Changing times and art librarians. Art Libraries Journal, 34(4), 36 -41. Barata, A. , Rosa, C. , & Pinto, E. (2010). The private library of Calouste Gulbenkian: giving virtual access to a personal book collection. Art Libraries Journal, 35(2), 13 -17. Foden-Lenahan, E. (2010). An unfinished masterpiece: special collections in the Book Library of the Courtauld Institute of Art Libraries Journal, 35(4), 18 -23.

References American Museum of Natural History. (2012). Mission statement. Retrieved from http: //library. amnh. org/about-library/missionstatement Art Libraries Society of North America. (2009). History and mission. Retrieved from http: //www. arlisna. org/about/history. html Aurand, M. (2011). Teaching and learning with collections: The library as a site for exploration and inspiration. Art Documentation, 30(1), 12 -20. Barata, A. , Rosa, C. , & Pinto, E. (2010). The private library of Calouste Gulbenkian: Giving virtual access to a personal book collection. Art Libraries Journal, 35(2), 13 -17. Barr, D. (2005). Zoo and aquarium libraries. Science & Technology Libraries, 25(3), 71 -87. Brown, J. M. (2011). Demonstrating Library Value: Examples and Applications for Arts Libraries. Art Documentation, 30(1), 48 -53. Caizzi, C. , & Rockenbach, B. (2010). New Challenges, New Directions. Visual Resources Association Bulletin, 37(2), 7 -12. California Academy of Sciences. (2012). Academy library. Retrieved from http: //research. calacademy. org/library California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (2010). Corrections: Year at a glance 2011 [CDRC Annual Report 2011 "Fall/Winter"]. Retrieved from http: //www. cdcr. ca. gov/News/docs/2011_Annual_Report_FINAL. pdf Clark, S. , & Mac. Creaigh, E. (2006). Library services to the incarcerated: Applying the public library model in correctional facility libraries. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

References Dalton, S. (2003, March). Library profile: Folsom prison library. Connection, (33), 1 -2, & 5. Retrieved from http: //www. library. ca. gov/newsletter/2003/CSL_Connection_0303. pdf Dirker, M. (2009). The library as a breeding place for inspiration: Art academy libraries in the Netherlands. Art Libraries Journal, 34(4), 19 -23. Ecology Center. (n. d. ) Bay Area Seed Interchange Library. Retrieved from http: //www. ecologycenter. org/basil/ Elk, J. (2009). Small specialist art libraries in Dutch museums: Two for ceramics, one textiles and one sculpture. Art Libraries Journal, 34(4), 8 -13. Foden-Lenahan, E. (2010). An unfinished masterpiece: Special collections in the Book Library of the Courtauld Institute of Art Libraries Journal, 35(4), 18 -23. Hatheway, H. (2009). A lesson in semantics: Creating an access services program in an arts library. Art Documentation, 28(2), 5457. Junior League of Portland. (2012). Between the lines. Retrieved from http: //www. juniorleagueofportland. org/? nd=between_the_lines

References Kimble-Evans, A. (2011). Checking out seed libraries. Organic Gardening, 58(4), 70. Landgraf, G. (2011, April 6). Seed lending libraries bloom. [Blog post] Retrieved from http: //americanlibrariesmagazine. org/greenyour-library/seed-lending-libraries-bloom Lawes, E. , & Olsson, T. (2011). Reclassification at Chelsea College of Art & Design Library. Art Libraries Journal, 36(4), 34 -40. Muldoon, K. (2008, November 12). A mother's bedtime story, told from inside prison. Oregon Live LLC. Retrieved fromhttp: //www. oregonlive. com/living/index. ssf/2008/11/a_mothers_bedtime_story_told_f. html Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library. (n. d. a). How to use library: On-line orientation to library. Retrieved from http: //www. richmondgrowsseeds. org/how-to-use-library. html Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library. (n. d. b). What's a seed lending library? Retrieved from http: //www. richmondgrowsseeds. org/ Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library. (n. d. c). Our Seeds and sister seed lending libraries. Retrieved from http: //www. richmondgrowsseeds. org/sister-libraries. html

References Rose-Sandler, T. , & Abrams, L. (2010). University of California, San Diego, Arts Library Renovation. Visual Resources Association Bulletin, 37(2), 36 -43. Rubin, R. E. (2010). Foundations of library and information science. (3 rd ed. ). New York, NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. San Francisco Seed Library. (n. d. ). About us. Retrieved from http: //www. sfseedlibrary. org/about-us Special Libraries Association. (2009 a). Association profile. Retrieved from http: //www. sla. org/content/SLA/Assn. Profile/index. cfm Special Libraries Association. (2009 b). Divisions. Retrieved from http: //www. sla. org/content/community/units/divs/index. cfm Uhila, M. (2011, April 24). Opening day for East Palo Alto's Seed Library. East Palo Alto Today. Retrieved from http: //www. epatoday. org/news/2011/april_2011/plant_it_grow_it_1374. html Uralman, H. (2010). The library of Istanbul Museum of Modern Art: A new type of art museum library for Turkey. Art Libraries Journal, 35(2), 30 -34. Versteeg, M. (2009). Two decades of change in Dutch university art libraries. Art Libraries Journal, 34(4), 24 -28. Vestermark, J. (2011). History of the rise and progress of the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library at Yale University. Art Libraries Journal, 36(2), 5 -11. Weijsenfeld, C. , & Wolffe, M. (2009). Changing times and art librarians. Art Libraries Journal, 34(4), 36 -41.

Resources Pima County Public Library: Seed Library. Available at http: //www. library. pima. gov/seed-library/ A comprehensive guide to seed saving and seed lending. pcsweeneydotcom. (2011, April 22). East Palo Alto Seed Library. [Video file] Available at http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=QJfb 0 jbrz. PQ In celebration of Earth Day, Patrick Sweeney, branch manager of the East Palo Alto Library, introduces the Seed Library and talks about how Collective Roots is helping to create the Seed Library.

Questions for the class • How does working in a special library differ from working in a public, school, or academic library? • What do you feel is needed to be a special librarian? • What kind of budget restraints might a specialized collection face that vs. a public library would not? in connection to what mission?

Something extra about seed libraries. . . • Given that seed libraries are supported by volunteers, how are existing librarians impacted with the presence of seed lending services at public libraries? Consider seed lending services to include checking out seeds and answering reference questions on gardening advice, sustainable farming, or plant habitat.

Conclusion In conclusion while a specialized library might face many of the same issues as other types of libraries face today (technology!), because of their specialized missions, they face their own challenges in relation to the ethics and values of other organizations. Specialized libraries support extraordinary value to particular organizations in support of research and collections.