Knowing the Need Conference, 1 March 2013. Presentation by Alison Cullingford, University of Bradford.

1. Unique &
Distinctive
meets Knowing
the Need
Alison Cullingford
Special Collections Librarian, University of Bradford
@speccollbrad (feel free to livetweet)
a.cullingford@bradford.ac.uk
Knowing the Need, BLPAC, 1 March 2013

2. KTN and UDC help build the picture

3. Survey by RLUK & the London Library (2010, published 2012)
http://www.rluk.ac.uk/content/rluk-hidden-collections-report

4. Survey of Special Collections and
Archives in the UK and Ireland
http://www.oclc.org/research/publications/library/2013/2013-01r.html

5. What can we
learn from
these reports?

6. How well are we caring for collections?

7. Why is preservation still so difficult?
(“It’s not rocket science!”)

8. 1. “Our organisations …”

9. 2.“Too
much
stuff!”

10. Some libraries
are doing
better than
others …
(But we shouldn’t
forget what we
have in common)

11. How can we
improve collections
care?

12. 1. Keep it clean
and simple!
Baby steps!

13. 2. Rethink value,
use, priorities

14. 3. Make the most of
opportunities (like
this one!)

15. Thank you!
Photo credits:
• Special Collections, University of Bradford. Collections care examples,
Rocket, Gems, Opportunities
Photos licensed from flickrstreams of:
• Ahisgett Cradley Heath Public Library CC BY-NC 2.0
• Alex Pears Cleaning CC BY-SA 2.0
• National Media Museum Woman reading, Baby elephant No known copyright
restrictions
• Net_efekt Pile of books CC BY-NC 2.0
• Secret Pilgrim Senate House CC BY-SA 2.0
• UncleBucko Mosaic CC BY-NC 2.0
• US National Archives Arrow No known copyright restrictions