Special Collections 2.0 : New Technologies for Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Archival Collections

Technology is already ubiquitous in the lives of our newest generation of academic library users. Library technology, often based on vendor products, cannot integrate user-friendly research and organization products like Google Scholar, social networking sites, del.icio.us, and flickr, into their search algorhythms, leaving valuable and expensive library resources potentially unused. This problem becomes particularly acute in the Special Collections setting, where we must balance the safety and preservation of our materials with accessibility.^L^LIn response, Whittaker and Thomas propose the use of Web 2.0 applications and related technologies in the creation, promotion, and management of special collections resources, particularly as a means of reaching new audiences. Beginning chapters focus on how specific technologies--such as wikis, blogs, social networking, and photosharing sites-act as gateways to special collections materials. Later chapters discuss how use of these newer technologies may affect digitization projects, preservation of born digital materials, and funding agency response. ^L^LAs more libraries grapple with a world that includes Google Books and the Open Content Alliance, this book will be of interest to anyone working with cultural heritage materials.