Presented at LILAC 2015

1. Approaches to using
archival and special
collections in
information literacy
programmes:
Experiences at
Maynooth University
Barbara McCormack
LILAC 2015

2. Outline
• Special collections – instruction, primary sources, space
• Maynooth University Library – Russell & JPII Libraries
• Aspects of special collections instruction
• Learning outcomes
• Undergraduate instruction & case study
• Postgraduate instruction & case study
• Conclusion
• References
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

3. Special collections & teaching
• Special collections librarians and archivists are typically involved in
the following teaching delivery and support activities:
– Facilitating access to information
– Conducting reference interviews
– Developing lesson plans
– Facilitating orientation
– Delivering course-based instruction
• The main focus of information literacy instruction in this regard is:
– The identification and evaluation of primary sources
– The development of research skills and critical analysis of
sources
Magia G. Krause, 2010
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

4. Using primary sources
Primary source instruction enables
the development of transferable
skills including:
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Evaluation of sources
• Teamwork and communication
• Ability to construct evidence-
based arguments
Anne Bahde, 2014
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

5. Teaching sessions
• “When the goal of a course-specific
library workshop is to bring the
research process alive, the
instruction cannot be a simple
lecture.”
Roberts & Taormina, 2013
• Potential for dynamic sessions with
practical, hands-on elements
• Facilitates active learning
approaches
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

6. The learning space
• Hubbard and Lotts (2013) suggest that information
literacy practitioners can use Special Collections to
engage with students through “hands-on experience,
and the act of leaving the classroom to visit a new
space”
• Maynooth University is very fortunate to have two
unique spaces for Special Collections: the historic Russell
Library and the recently extended John Paul II Library
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

7. Maynooth University Library
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

8. Russell Library
• Research library with collections spanning ten centuries
• Houses the historical collections of St. Patrick’s College,
Maynooth
• Pugin designed reading room completed in 1861
• 34,000 printed works (1470-1850)
• 2,500 Bibles (in 600 languages)
• 12,000 pamphlets
• 50,000+ archival documents
• 300+ Gaelic manuscripts
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

9. John Paul II Library
• New state-of-the-art reading room and environmentally
controlled secure store area
• Houses the historical collections of Maynooth University
• Approx. 3,600 rare and early printed works (pre-1850)
• Approx. 4,500 printed works (post-1850)
• Over 1,000 pamphlets
• Extensive archival collections
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

10. Aspects of special collections instruction
Tours
Subject specific lectures
Workshops and demonstrations
Exhibitions and events
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

11. Learning outcomes
Collection
skills
• Handling techniques
• Consultation process
• Analysis of formats
• Preservation and conservation
Research
skills
• Identifying sources
• Critical evaluation
• Finding aids
• Primary vs. secondary sources
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

12. Undergraduate instruction
Manuscript to Print
Maps in History
Practising History
Literature and Society in Seventeenth Century Ireland
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

13. Undergraduate instruction – case study
• ID004 : ‘Cultural heritage & the Irish
literary tradition’
• Certificate for Irish Cultural Heritage
• 5 credit module delivered by School of
Celtic Studies with input from the
Library
• Topics include:
– Manuscript production and
tradition
– Illumination and other decoration
– Manuscript writing
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

14. ID004 Library instruction
Week Topic
Week One Calligraphy demonstration and workshop in the
Russell Library with renowned Irish calligrapher Tim
O’Neill
Week Two Lecture delivered by special collections librarian
relating to manuscript tradition and physical
characteristics
Week Three Supervised consultation of Gaelic manuscripts and
submission of assignments
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

15. ID004 Assessment questions
Space
• What were your general impressions of the Russell Library?
• What kind of collections are housed there?
Item
• What manuscript did you look at?
• What kind of access did you have to it?
Analysis
• Did you find any evidence of conservation repairs?
• Was the text written on paper or parchment?
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

16. Postgraduate instruction
History of Irish Theatre Production
MLITT Research Tutorial
Research Methodologies & Thesis Preparation
Introduction to Palaeography
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

17. Postgraduate instruction – case study
• HY618: ‘Book Collections in Archives’
• Delivered by Mr. Hugh Murphy, Senior Librarian,
Collection Management Services and Ms. Barbara
McCormack, Assistant Librarian, Special Collections &
Archives
• 5 Credit module as part of the MA Historical Archives
• Level 9 (Masters)
• 12 lecture hours including practical sessions onsite and
one offsite visit
• Planned learning activities 12 hours and independent
student activities 12 hours
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

18. HY618 Class schedule
Date Topic
Week 1 (i) Introduction
(ii) Manuscript tradition
Week 2 (i) History of Print
(ii) Printing in Ireland
Week 3 Practical ‘hands-on’ session
Week 4 Visit to Dublin City Library & Archive, National Print Museum
Week 5 Resource Description for Print
Week 6 (i) Curatorial Roles – Print to online
(ii) Review
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

19. HY618 Module aims
This module aims to:
• Foster an understanding and appreciation
of rare and unique collections
• Develop navigational skills in terms of
finding aids and catalogues
• Equip students with resource description
skills
• Facilitate the evaluation of printed items
in archival collections
• Enable a comprehensive analysis of
physical characteristics of different
formats (manuscript, print, and archival)
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

20. HY618 Learning outcomes
• Understand the key stages in the development of print
and its relationship with manuscript and incunabula
• Understand the key stages in the tradition of print in
Ireland
• Differentiate between the different types of catalogues
(traditional and electronic formats)
• Create a bibliographic record to a level appropriate to
that item and to the repository in which it is held
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

21. Pamphlet assignment
• Students are asked to select an 18th or
19th century pamphlet in the English
language from Library collections
• Students consult their chosen
pamphlet in Special Collections
• A short report is written outlining:
– Bibliographic information
– Provenance
– Physical condition
• Involves an analysis of both the
physical object and associated finding
aid(s)
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

22. Incunabula assignment
Students are asked to consult an
early printed work and write a
short report noting some or all of
the following:
– Decoration and illustration
– Annotations
– Shelf-marks
– Binding
– Claps and ties
– General condition
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

23. Exhibition assignment
Students are asked to visit an
exhibition and write a short report on
the following aspects:
– Exhibition themes
– Target audience
– Promotion of the exhibition
– Case labels
– Exhibition layout
– Floor plan(s)
– Catalogues or handouts
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

24. Resource description assignment
• Part 1: students are asked to write a
report discussing the following:
– Impact of resource description on
findability and promotion
– Merits of hybrid cataloguing
– Difference between primary and
secondary sources
• Part 2: students are asked to analyse a
series of bibliographic records and
identify various MARC fields
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library
© Maynooth University Library
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
Photo courtesy of Alan Monahan

25. Conclusion
• Special collections librarians and archivists are educators
as well as facilitators
• Primary source material provides opportunities for
active learning in terms of library instruction
• Special collections librarians can collaborate with subject
librarians to deliver IL programmes
• Information literacy sessions in special collections can be
delivered as ‘one-off’ sessions or a series of lectures,
workshops, and tours over a semester or academic year
• Further study is needed in terms of the impact of special
collections instruction
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library

26. References
• Bahde, A 2014, ‘The History Labs: Integrating Primary Source Literacy Skills
into a History Survey Course’, Journal of Archival Organization, 11, 3-4, pp.
175-204, DOI: 10.1080/15332748.2013.951254
• Hubbard, MA and Lotts, M 2013, ‘Special Collections, Primary Resources,
and Information Literacy Pedagogy’, Communications in Information
Literacy, 7, 1.
• Krause, MG 2010, '"It Makes History Alive for them": the Role of Archivists
and Special Collections Librarians in Instructing Undergraduates', Journal Of
Academic Librarianship, 36, 5, pp. 401-411, Academic Search Complete,
EBSCOhost, viewed 19 March 2015.
• Lee Roberts, R and Taormina, M 2013, ‘Collaborative Co-Design for Library
Workshops’, Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian, 32, 1, pp. 46-56, DOI:
10.1080/01639269.2013.755875
Barbara McCormack, Maynooth University Library