Archivists and archival institutions are reappraising and deaccessioning now more than ever before. Archival reappraisal and deaccessioning have become vital tools for managing archival collections. Reappraisal and Deaccessioning in Archives and Special Collections is the first book dedicated entirely to the topic of reappraising and deaccessioning in special collections and archives. This edited volume features 13 chapters offering informed opinions, practical recommendations, and valuable examples for reappraising and deaccessioning. Readers will gain important insight into the most important element of reappraisal and deaccessioning: decision-making. Through mostly case studies, the chapters address important issues inherent in these practices including: ethical concerns, donor relations, appraisal questions, and disposition options. The case studies cover collaborative and solo projects, various material types such as manuscripts, records, and artifacts, and a range of scenarios from major projects involving thousands of linear feet of material to ad hoc projects removing single items. Chapter topics include: weeding vs. deaccessioning, getting rid of contaminated materials, donor-driven deaccessioning, and using reappraisal and deaccessioning to improve access to existing collections. Readers will find beneficial information on streamlining workflows, carrying out procedures, creating policies, and implementing these practices locally. Additionally, the chapters cover the intricacies of disposition options, such as transferring to other institutions, returning material to donors, and destruction. This volume can serve as a valuable resource for large and small repositories, experienced and novice archivists, and those working with manuscript and archive collections.

Deaccessioning in Special Collections and Archives addresses issues related to deaccessioning special collections and archives materials. A mix of case studies and perspectives on deaccessioning, the book addresses important issues vital to deaccessioning including ethical concerns, donor relations, appraisal questions, and disposition options.

Appraisal and Acquisition: Innovative Practices for Archives and Special Collections explores how archivists and special collections librarians in organizations of different sizes and types have approached the challenges of collection, as well as exploring opportunities to acquire new kinds of materials and conduct thoughtful reappraisal. The case studies featured are “No Fame Required”: Collaboration, Community, and the Georgia LGBTQ Archives Project Placed Out: Providing a Home for the Records of the Children’s Aid Society and the Orphan Trains “I Really Can’t Wait to Archive this Exchange”: Exploring Processing as Appraisal in the Tim Kaine Email Project Hardware for SoftPoems: Appraisal and Acquisition of Vintage Computer Equipment From Projects to Policy: The Evolution of a Systematic Reappraisal Program Terabytes from Far-Off Lands: Acquiring Records of the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program So Much to Do, So Little Time: Prioritizing To Acquire Significant University Records The Studio Theatre Archives: Staging an Embedded Appraisal Making the Bulb Want to Change: Implementing an Active Electronic Records Appraisal and Acquisition Program Weaving the Web of Influence: Maximizing Archival Appraisal and Acquisition through the Use of “Spider Advocates” Reappraisal and Deaccessioning: Building for the Future by Removing Some of the Past Tap into History: The Birth of the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives These case studies show a range of strategies and processes, but all were selected because they demonstrate ideas that could be transferred into many other settings. They can serve as models, sources of inspiration, or starting points for new discussions. This volume will be useful to those working in archives and special collections as well as other cultural heritage organizations, and provides ideas ranging from those that require long-term planning and coordination to ones that could be more quickly implemented. The chapters also provide students and educators in archives, library, and public history graduate programs a resource for understanding the varieties of issues related to appraisal and acquisition and how they can be addressed.

An archival accessioning program is the keystone of responsible collection stewardship and essential to providing both equitable access and meaningful contextualization of archives. In Archival Accessioning, editor Audra Eagle Yun approaches the acquisition of materials as a holistically oriented, programmatic activity that establishes and maintains baseline control for archival holdings. Combining principles, best practice, and real-world examples from eleven archives practitioners, Archival Accessioning is a forward-thinking guide that archivists can apply in a variety of institutional settings. Those working with archives, special collections, and local history materials will learn how to Identify core components of archival accessioning and critically analyze this work, Establish a thoughtful and successful program for taking intellectual and physical custody of materials, and Adapt firsthand professional perspectives to improve or modify existing practices.

This essay argues for involving archivists in the management of born-digital library materials (i.e., created and managed in digital form).

It is absolutely essential that today’s law librarians are digitally literate in addition to possessing an understanding and awareness of recent advancements and trends in information technology as they pertain to the library field. Law Libraries in the Digital Age offers a one-stop, comprehensive guide to achieving both of those goals. This go-to resource covers the most cutting-edge developments that face today’s modern law libraries, including e-Books, mobile device management, Web scale discovery, cloud computing, social software, and much more. These critical issues and concepts are approached from the perspective of tech-savvy library leaders who each discuss how forward-thinking libraries are tackling such traditional library practices as reference, collection development, technical services, and administration in this new “digital age.” Each chapter explores the key concepts and issues that are currently being discussed at major law library conferences and events today and looks ahead to what’s on the horizon for law libraries in the future. Chapters have been written by the field’s top innovators from all areas of legal librarianship, including academic, government, and private law libraries, who have strived to provide inspiration and guidance to tomorrow’s law library leaders.

Displaced archives have long been a problem and their existence continues to trouble archivists, historians and government officials. Displaced Archives brings together leading international experts to comprehensively explore the current state of affairs for the first time. Drawing on case studies from around the world, the authors examine displaced archives as a consequence of conflict and colonialism, analysing their impact on government administration, nation building, human rights and justice. Renewed action is advocated through considerations of the legal approaches to repatriation, the role of the international archival community, ‘shared heritage’ approaches and other solutions. The volume offers new theoretical, technical and political insights and will be essential reading for practitioners, academics and students in the field of archives, cultural property and heritage management, as well as history, politics and international relations.