1. Special collections departments face challenges in the coming decade including maintaining unique collections, managing backlogs, and securing sustainable funding as competition increases and research trends change. 2. Digitization of special collections will be important both for access and preservation, but special collections will still focus on unique physical collections. 3. Adapting services for new audiences like scientists and the general public while maintaining support from core humanities researchers will be key to justifying special collections departments amid political and economic pressures on universities.

1. Special Collections ten years from now Richard Ovenden Keeper of Special Collections & Associate Director Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

2. OR MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?

3. How do you make God laugh? Tell Him your future plans Source: Woody Allen

31. JISC Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art Marc Fitch Fund Andrew W Mellon Foundation Heritage Lottery Fund V&A Purchase Grant Fund PRISM Fund Friends of the Bodleian Friends of the National Libraries The Art Fund John R Murray Charitable Trust Bernard H Breslauer Foundation Strachey Trust Samuel H Kress Foundation Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation Wireless Preservation Trust Fritz Thyssen Stiftung PRIVATE DONORS