Special Collections Subcommittee meeting
November 9, 2004

Present: Toby Appel, Richard Boursy, Susan Brady, Tom Hyry, Ulla Kasten, Susan Matheson, George Miles, Martha Smalley, Libby Van Cleve

Guests: Emily Horning, Ann Okerson

Ann Okerson told us about a recently-submitted grant proposal related to the use of primary sources in teaching and learning in a consortium of liberal arts colleges. Yale is proposed to cooperate with other Connecticut colleges, including Connecticut College, Wesleyan, Trinity, Norwalk Community College to explore ways in which oral history, the study of objects/artifacts, and other aspects of primary sources can be tied into the curriculum of the schools. The grant would support a convening meeting, three workshops, and a concluding meeting. A half-time staff member would be hired to coordinate the project.

Emily Horning talked about the Primary Sources tutorial that she and a few others are working on in connection with the SQIC Instruction Group. We talked about the pros and cons of the present “Primary Sources at Yale” document: http://www.library.yale.edu/instruction/primsource.html. This led to a discussion of ways in which our group might more effectively reach Yale undergraduates who need to use primary sources for projects and papers. The handouts prepared for the History senior essay colloquia are not an ideal solution because many students have already determined their topics and sources by October. It was agreed that Emily would attempt to convene a meeting of Directors of Undergraduate Studies, library liaisons, and representatives from our Special Collections Subcommittee to talk about these issues.

Susan Brady asked committee members if they had any policies in addition to the ones on their respective Web sites regarding the amount/kind of research they do for long-distance researchers, and if there is any interest in creating some mutually-agreed upon policies. There was no immediate positive response.

Next meeting will be December 14, 2004, 11:00 a.m. in SML 411.