Outsourcing and Offshoring in Special Collections: From Theory to Practice

Abstract

As the programs of special collections departments become more ambitious, the challenges of provisioning them become more complex. Whereas expectations of special collections librarians were once fairly uniform, position requirements are all over the map these days. Among other things, we may be expected to develop collections, process papers, arrange exhibitions, coordinate conferences, correspond with donor and grant agencies, publish scholarly articles, mark up finding aids, scan source materials, configure content management systems, and develop attractive digital interfaces. These increasing ambitions require us to think differently about how we approach not only our work but also the boundaries of our organizations. The question should not be what is most expedient but what is the most effective way to accomplish this range of tasks.