Objects have power—they have meaning. They connect us to the past and they shape us professionally and personally. The value of Special Collections rests firmly in the ability of users to interact with rare books and primary sources, to have opportunities to advance research, and to engage with collection materials in unique ways that promote deep, experiential learning. This means connecting individual objects through collections and sometimes connecting those collections across institutions. It can mean telling stories uncovered through connections to the past, but most importantly, Special Collections work is about people. Connecting people to materials is one form this takes, but it’s also about connecting with people to support research and exploration and to spur powerful conversations around cultural heritage collections.
This exhibit pulls from the Rare & Fine, Circus & Allied Arts, Children's Literature & Historical Textbooks, and H.K. Sage Lincoln collections to highlight the varied ways that Special Collections materials have been used over time in teaching, learning, and engagement across an array of academic disciplines at Illinois State University. The objects and text highlight the many ways we use our collections to support learning through varied instructional and theoretical lenses.
To schedule a tour of the exhibit or a class session in Special Collections, please contact Rebecca Fitzsimmons at rlfitzs@IllinoisState.edu.