This year ALCTS members may attend the RBMS Preconference at the ACRL Member rate.
The 46th Rare Books and Manuscripts Section Preconference will be held June 21-24, 2005, in St Louis, Mo. "Bridging The Gap: Education and Special Collections" will explore a crucially important issue in our profession: the rift between the growing variety of educational roles played by special collections librarians — as teachers, advocates, interpreters, impresarios — and the shrinking opportunities for formal training and continuing education available to prepare special collections librarians for these roles.
A full program of events is now available. Leading by example, the preconference will offer all-day workshops as continuing education opportunities for participants. The roster of plenary speakers includes voices from the United States and abroad, scholars and library professionals, teachers and students. Illustrating the major themes of the preconference, the seminars will cover such topics as "Preservation Education for Special Collections Librarians," "Current Trends in Fellowships," and "Redefining Rare, or, What's So Special About That Collection." And a group of short paper sessions will present thought-pieces and case-studies on exhibitions, the use of primary source materials in a classroom setting, and library outreach initiatives. St. Louis has never before hosted an RBMS preconference, and local institutions are eager to share their treasures with participants.
For registration information and complete details of the schedule go to http://library.wustl.edu/units/spec/rbms/index.html