Librarians, Historians, and New Opportunities for Discourse

Joel D. Kitchens is associate professor, humanities librarian, and subject specialist in history, art and architecture, and American studies for the Texas A&M University Libraries, where he has served since 1997.

This book stimulates informed dialogue between librarians and historians regarding the changing nature of history and the resultant needs for a wider variety of collections and library services, including inter-library loan, library instruction, outreach, and reference.Today's history scholars and students utilize information in many different formats, including print, microforms, and digital, with each having its own format-specific requirements. For historians, the library is an essential resource that serves as their "laboratory." Librarians need to recognize the changing needs of this group-arguably among the heaviest users of library materials and services.Librarians, Historians, and New Opportunities for Discourse: A Guide for Clio's Helpers addresses the concerns and typical operational decisions of librarians in academic libraries regarding reference, instruction, and collection management. The book looks at the role of the librarian holistically, paying special attention to how history is researched and taught, and how this affects librarians.After reading this book, librarians will better understand this group of patrons who are so dependent on library resources for their research and teaching; conversely, historians will grasp the pressures on librarians making the difficult transition between the print and the digital age. As a result, every reader will be capable of having a more informed dialog with "the other half," regardless of their status as a librarian or a historian.

This book stimulates informed dialogue between librarians and historians regarding the changing nature of history and the resultant needs for a wider variety of collections and library services, including inter-library loan, library instruction, outreach, and reference.

Introduction1 Overview of HistoryBrief History of HistoryMajor Fields within HistoryMajor Research Methods UsedUse and Characteristics of Primary and Secondary SourcesScholarly Production: Books, Book Reviews, More Books, Scholarly Articles, and More Books!Emerging AreasOverlap with Other Areas in the LibraryConclusion2 Learning Your New LandscapeMaterials NeededWhat Is and May Not Be Available (the Truth Is Not Always Out There)Major Historians and Their Evolving MethodologiesContinuing EducationMentorshipLibrary Association DivisionsMajor Historical Societies and OrganizationsElectronic Discussion GroupsConferencesConclusion3 Getting to Know and Understand Your Local AudienceTalking to the Academic DepartmentMeeting Faculty on Their Own TurfWhat Are the Local Institution's Needs?Conclusion4 Reference Services and Access to MaterialGet to Know Your CollectionThe Reference InterviewCatalogs and CatalogingThe Reference CollectionMajor Indexes: Accessing Secondary Materials ElectronicallyOther Types of InformationArchival MaterialsPrinted Guides, Bibliographies, Encyclopedias, Landmark WorksReference on Location24/7 Reference (or Close to It)Conclusion5 Information Literacy for HistoriansThe History CurriculumHistory Components in Other DisciplinesBuilding Instructional PresentationsCollaborative Partnering on AssignmentsIntervention with the InstructorToo Much of a Good Thing?Conclusion6 Defining the History CollectionChallenges of History to Collection Development PoliciesDefining Scholarly and HistoricalTextbook ConsiderationsSerialsEvaluating Electronic Full TextMedia and Web-Based MaterialsMicroformsNewspapersConclusion7 Selection and Acquisitions ToolsBudget ConsiderationsBuilding a FoundationUsing Approval PlansReview SourcesGetting Prize BooksAssessing the CollectionPromoting the CollectionsOpen Stacks or Special CollectionsConclusion8 Maturing as a History LibrarianProgressive JourneySetbacksNavigating Departmental PoliticsIndicators of ProgressSharing Knowledge as a Senior Subject LibrarianConclusionReference List and Recommended ReadingsIndex