Measuring the impact of special collections and archives in the digital age: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

This paper is based on the outcome of a Research Libraries UK (RLUK) project that aimed to explore and understand the approaches employed by RLUK members for capturing and measuring the impact of activities based on special collections and archives. In today's constantly evolving information and scholarly environment, educational and cultural institutions, such as research libraries, are faced with a pressing demand to assess the value of their services and evidence their impact. As part of our goal to develop a better understanding of how research libraries respond to this demand, we collected and analysed case-study and survey data from across the RLUK membership that show the practices and methods of research libraries for increasing and assessing the impact of their collections and related services. As our results showed, research libraries increasingly employ audiencefocused strategies and take advantage of the new possibilities offered by the digital age to enhance access to collections, reach a range of audience groups and achieve greater impact. However, a number of issues, such as the lack of structured methodologies to capture and evaluate the full reach of digital collections and resources or the long-term impact of collections, can make the process of measuring and evidencing value a challenging task for institutions. In this paper, we will present some of the key findings showing the pathways to impact followed by special collection and archive professionals in the UK and Ireland and reflect on the opportunities and challenges that the digital era presents for increasing and measuring this impact.

Library Impact Research Report: Impact of Archival Collections and Services on the Western University Department of History

“…While defining impact in relation to archives and special collections, Research Libraries United Kingdom (RLUK) describes impact as the "demonstrable contribution that the unique and distinctive collections of our [RLUK] members can make to research, teaching and learning as well as to society and its wellbeing." 7 The Europeana Foundation defines impact in its Impact Playbook as "changes that occur for stakeholders or in society as a result of activities (for which the organization is accountable)." 8 This framework encourages archives, museums, and libraries to use "strategic perspectives" to develop a fulsome understanding of where, as an institution, they have the most impact.…”

The Crutchley Archive: Red Colours on Wool Fabrics from Master Dyers, London 1716–1744

“…Historical research of dyed textiles would be greatly assisted by catalogue and acquisition entries that clearly distinguish design pattern books from dyeing pattern books, to increase the chances of finding other important collections like the Crutchley Archive in other archives and libraries such as this local government-run one in Southwark. 62…”

Appraisal Practices in University Special Collections

“…These methods can be standardized as benchmarks across institutions. In another study, Kamposiori (2020) examined how archives and special collections help their institutions meet their goals of impacting. According to Dyset, data about the collection could help gauge its uniqueness.…”