• A Night at the Opera: Surfacing Special Collections through Community Partnerships

    Author(s):
    Erin Conor (see profile)
    Date:
    2018
    Group(s):
    Library & Information Science, Music Library Association
    Subject(s):
    Libraries--Special collections, Music libraries
    Item Type:
    Presentation
    Meeting Title:
    Pacific Northwest Chapter, Music Library Association, Annual Meeting
    Meeting Loc.:
    Ellensburg, WA
    Meeting Date:
    June 2018
    Tag(s):
    outreach, Special collections
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M66688J31
    Abstract:
    The Music Library at the University of Washington is fortunate to count among its holdings a substantial collection of rare musical scores. A highlight of our special collections is the William Crawford III Music Collection. Given to the UW in 2014, the Crawford Collection includes over 700 rare, early-edition vocal scores, spanning six centuries and including works by composers ranging from Palestrina to Arvo Part. As the newly-appointed Head of the Music Library, one goal I have is to increase the usage and visibility of our special collections. However, in attempting to do this, I am faced with the familiar barriers of limited funding, infrastructure, and staffing. In an environment of scarcity, how can we best connect users with unique collections? During winter 2018, an opportunity presented itself when the Seattle Opera produced Hector Berlioz’s opera Beatrice et Benedict. The Music Library happens to hold a first-edition copy of the score for this opera as part of the Crawford Collection. In partnership with the Opera, we displayed our copy of the score at McCaw Hall for the duration of the Opera’s production. In this presentation, I will discuss the results of this pilot collaboration. I will share best practices and lessons learned, as well as potential next steps. As an immediate, low-tech, and ultimately successful outreach effort, I hope our collaboration will inspire attendees to consider similar community partnerships.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    5 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved

    Downloads

    Item Name: pptx pnwmla-2018.pptx
      Download
    Activity: Downloads: 95

    Back to Deposits