The role of the research library in a special collections archive often
poses a problem: how do we support access to our collections when we are open
limited days, and when, in order to protect and preserve our often fragile
materials, collections cannot leave our reading room?
Here at
the California Historical Society, we know that to succeed in our mission of making our State’s history part
of the lives of contemporary Californians, we needed to make our collections
accessible in ways that went beyond the traditional reference library. By including
our unique materials in exhibitions and public programs, in publications and on
social media, we are able to provide people far greater, and more varied,
opportunities to interact with the wonderful photographs, manuscripts, maps, and
rare books that make up our collections.
Here is a
glimpse into some of the projects staff are working on currently: