Abstract
With a long history at the University of Arizona with excellence in the lunar and planetary sciences, the University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections has increased its collecting of the History of Science and Technology. These large, modern space collections pose unique challenges and require specific needs to be addressed in order for the collections to be stored, processed and made available for access. It is essential for archivists working with these collections to ask their donors the right questions and learn the limitations and restrictions that often come with acquiring modern space collections. Archives around the country have started tackling the issues unique to space collections, particularly with the conference To Boldly Preserve in 2018. Special Collections has encountered these processing and access issues with the Peter Hollingsworth Smith papers (MS 605) including the heavy reliance on acronyms and abbreviations, special restrictions form ITAR and export control that affect access and the effects of grant funding on archiving of materials. While the acquisition of modern space collections can be complicated, the preservation of modern space missions is vital to document the development of the exploration of space and being prepared for these common issues can ease the transition of collections to the archives.
Author Biography
Molly Stothert-Maurer is Associate Librarian (Archivist) and Head of the Library and Archives at the Arizona State Museum. Molly was most recently Archivist & History of Science Curator at University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections where she worked closely with the collections documenting the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Previously she served as Archivist at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. She holds a MA degree in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona and a BFA in Studio Art from Texas State University. Lisa E. Duncan is the Collections Management Archivist and Instruction Coordinator at the University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections. Previously she worked as the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian at the University of South Dakota Libraries. She received her BA in history and anthropology and MA in information resources and library science from the University of Arizona. She is also a Certified Archivist and holds a Digital Archives Specialist certificate from the Society of American Archivists.
Recommended Citation
Stothert-Maurer, Molly and Duncan, Lisa E.
(2022)
"To the Moon and Mars and Back to the Archives: Working with Modern Space Collections at the University of Arizona Libraries,"
Journal of Western Archives: Vol. 13:
Iss.
1, Article 7.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/westernarchives/vol13/iss1/7
