This document provides an overview of a module on using special collections for research in Ireland. It discusses the aims of understanding the nature and significance of special collections materials and how to identify and access relevant sources. It outlines the module structure and learning outcomes, which include developing skills to locate, evaluate and incorporate special collections into research. The document then provides details about specific topics that will be covered, such as the formats, preservation, terminology, locations and catalogs of special collections materials.

1. PG6009: Graduate Information
Literacy Skills
Using Special Collections for
Research in Ireland

2. Overall Module: Aim and Objectives
•To understand the significance of Information Literacy and
its application to your research.
•To enable you to Audit and Update your current
Information Literacy Skills.
•To Expand and Acquire a Portfolio of Information Literacy
Skills.
•To develop your Information Literacy Skills which will
enhance the quality of your research skills and expand
your career opportunities in our knowledge-based
economy.

3. Overall Module: Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner should be able to:
•Plan and undertake a comprehensive search and review of the literature
•Develop effective strategies to locate and access relevant information
•Analyse and critically evaluate research findings (yours & others)
•Demonstrate and apply a range of these skills as part of your wider research portfolio
•Develop effective approaches to keep up to date with the latest research in your area
•Manage your research information saving valuable time and effort
•Identify the legal and ethical issues relating to the use of information
•Publish and present information in an effective way
•Justify the application of these information literacy skills to your specific research

4. Module Structure
Unit 1: Research Resource
Discovery
Unit 2: Using the Web Effectively
& Evaluating Research Resource Results
Unit 3:Tracking Down
Results & Keeping Up-to-date
Unit 4:Managing Your
Information
Unit 6: Publishing /
Disseminating Your Research
Unit 5: Ethics in Using
Research Information
Unit 7: Using Archives for
Research in Ireland
Unit 8: Using Special
Collections for Research in
Ireland
Compulsory
Optional

5. Assessment: 5 credits
You are required to attend Units 1-6 and to
submit a Short Report (1500 words) which will
be marked on a pass/fail basis, to be completed
by Wednesday 18th
December.
Note: There will no percentage mark
awarded.

6. Using Special Collections for Research
in Ireland
Elaine Harrington
Special Collections Librarian
e.harrington@ucc.ie
021 4903484

7. •To enable researchers to identity and access special
collections sources in Ireland and further afield,
and
•To give a greater understanding of the nature of special
collections’ material and its uses for original research.
Aims and Objectives

8. On completion of this module the learner should be able to:
•Express knowledge on the nature and breadth of special collections in
general
•Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the importance of
preservation and how it affects access to the collections
•Identify and explain the terminology used when describing items in
special collections
•Identify relevant locations for special collections research in Ireland and
further afield
•Ascertain the relevant sources for material contained in special
collections
•Understand the procedures employed in repositories when facilitating
research.
•Incorporate this information as appropriate into your own research area.
Learning Outcomes

9. • Introduction
• Preservation & Access
• Objects & Terminology
• Locations of Special Collections & How
to Find Them
• UCC Special Collections
• Conclusion
Schedule

10. • What is Special Collections?
• Format
Introduction

11. What is Special Collections?
• The department itself
• The staff who care for the collections
• The physical or virtual space
• The collections themselves

12. What is Special Collections? (2)
• “Unique and distinctive” collections of
rare books, and many other media,
including born-digital and digitised
documents (Cullingford)
• “Elements of distinction that serve to
differentiate an academic or research
library from its peers” (Dooley & Luce)

13. Format
• Early Printed Books
• Books from Presses
• Collections from individuals
• Newspapers
• Maps
• Pamphlets
• Literary Manuscripts
• Digital Files

14. Format (2)
• Mixture of Primary and Secondary Sources
• Primary Sources include:
Manuscripts
Newspapers
Maps
• Secondary Sources:
Histories
Criticism

15. Format (3)
• Ensuring access remains to the items
• Digital files transferable through the
ages
• Other formats readable
• Example: Domesday Book on laserdisc
http://www.scenicreflections.com/download/534360/build_it_Wallpaper/

16. Preservation & Access

17. Preservation & Access (2)
Factors to consider:
•Materials
•Environment
•Storage
•Handling
•Reprographics

18. Materials
• Paper
• Parchment
• Vellum
• Leather
• Different inks
• Photographic material
• Glue and binding material

19. Materials (2)
• Chemically stable materials will last
indefinitely with the proper care.
• Oldest book in UCC Library: 1476
• Sometimes proper care is not enough.
• Example: Early 20th
century newsprint.

20. An Claidheamh Soluis 1901

21. An Claidheamh Soluis 1901

22. Environmental Factors
• Light: encourages chemical reactions
• Temperature: fixed between 13 – 16C
• Relative humidity: fixed between 45 –
60%
• Standard: BSI PD 5454
• Air pollution
• Mould
• Pests
@HarperCollinsUK pic.twitter.com/bZDyaHwSP7

23. Spider in insect trap

26. Storage
• Soundly constructed, well ventilated,
watertight
• Stable internal climate
• Secure
• Items stored flat on shelves if heavy or
large
• Shelves not too full or too empty
• Phase boxes
• Linen tapes

29. Handling
• Use appropriate equipment:
 Foam supports
 Book snakes
 Weights
 Archival page inserts
• Support a book’s spine to reduce strain
• No resting on top of pages or manuscripts
• Keep food, drink and ink away from items
• No quick-fix repairs: adhesive tape,
laminators

30. Reprographics
• Can include:
 Photographing – without flash
 Scanning – book cradle rather than
flatbed
 Digitisation to provide surrogate
 Microfilming to provide surrogate
• Copying at discretion of staff
• Damage can be done each time
• Example: Bendy Brunel

31. Reprographics (2)
Example: Zeutschel OS15000 overhead scanner
with book cradle

32. Objects & Terminology
• General
• Manuscripts
• Structure of a Book
• Early Printed Books
• Provenance

33. General
• Book: Now any published work;
previously folded sheets sewn into a
binding or cut sheets glued into a case or
cover.
• Manuscripts may be bound in book form.
• Printed book is a ‘book.’
• Bibliography: study of books as physical
objects.
• Codicology: Study of manuscripts.
• Paleography: study of writing.

34. Manuscripts
Medieval manuscripts were often created for
religious purposes showing the importance of
religious life and faith and its dominance of
written culture
•Psalters: contain psalms from the Bible
•Missals: contain the service of the Mass
•Breviaries: contain the texts of the Divine
Office (Christian daily prayer)
•Books of Hours: prayer book for an
individual

35. Brown, Michelle. The Luttrell Psalter: A Facsimile. London: The British
Library, 2006.

36. Brown, Michelle. The Luttrell Psalter: A Facsimile. London: The British
Library, 2006. f.13r

37. The Sarum Missal: Missale ad usum insignis et praeclarae Ecclesiae Sarum:
. London: Alban Press, 1989.

38. “Christ: The Nativity.” Backhouse, Janet, ed. The Isabella Breviary.
London: British Library, 1993. f.29

39. “The Adoration of the Magi.” Turner, D.H., comment.
The Hastings Hours: A 15th-century Flemish Book of Hours Made for William,
. New York, N.Y.: Thames and Hudson, 1983. f.42.b

40. Manuscripts (2)
• Scripts: Different ones depending on
region. Oldest book in library written in
textura or Gothic print.
• Illumination: embellishment of
manuscript with bright colours e.g. gold,
silver
• Marginalia: writing in the margins
• Rubrication: process of writing titles in
the text in red ink

41. Aquinas, Thomas.
Incipiu[n]t preclarissima opuscula diui Thome aquinatis sacri ordinis p[re]dicato[rum] in quibus o[mn
. [Venice: Hermann Lichtenstein, 1497].

42. Gutenberg Bible. Patterson, N.J.: Pageant Books, 1961.
Example of Rubrication

43. Gutenberg Bible. Patterson, N.J.: Pageant Books, 1961.

44. About a Book
Principal parts of a book and its binding
http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/stratpolprog/collectioncare/publications/booklets/caring_for_bookbindings

45. Early Printed Books
• Incunabula: books printed pre-1501
• Colophon: feature at the end of the book
giving details of printing
• Format: folio, quarto, octavo
• Paper types: vellum, parchment, rag
• Illustrations: woodcut, copperplate
engraving

46. Bruni, Leonardo. Historia del Popolo Fiorentino. [Vinegia (Venice): Iacomo de Rossi,
1476].

47. “Colophon.” Bruni, Leonardo Historia del Popolo Fiorentino. [Vinegia (Venice): Iacomo de
Rossi, 1476].

48. Aquinas, Thomas.
Incipiu[n]t preclarissima opuscula diui Thome aquinatis sacri ordinis p[re]dicato[rum] in quibus o[mn
. [Venice: Hermann Lichtenstein, 1497].

49. Aquinas, Thomas.
Incipiu[n]t preclarissima opuscula diui Thome aquinatis sacri ordinis p[re]dicato[rum] in quibus o[mn
. [Venice: Hermann Lichtenstein, 1497].

50. Aquinas, Thomas.
Incipiu[n]t preclarissima opuscula diui Thome aquinatis sacri ordinis p[re]dicato[rum] in quibus o[m
. [Venice: Hermann Lichtenstein, 1497].

51. Buffon, Georges Louis Leclerc. Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. A Paris: De l'Imprimerie
royale, 1770-1786. Vol. 7

52. Provenance
• Provenance: Previous ownership
 Who owned a book?
 Who had access to it?
 Books owned by an organisation.
 Shown from bookplates, labels, stamps
 Binding may have coat of arms or
symbol
• Inscriptions: person’s name, dedication,
motto
• Annotations: comments on the text,
unrelated notes
• Insertions: letters, bookmarks

53. Porter, Katherine Anne. The Never-ending Wrong. London: Secker & Warburg, 1977.

54. Munster, Wilhemina FitzClarence. My Memories and Miscellanies. London: Eveleigh
Nash, 1904.

55. Practical Session
• Handling example: Use of foam supports
with snakes
• Handling example: Use of archival page
inserts
• Handling example: Use of weights
• Demonstrate structure of a book
• Show elements of provenance

56. Locations of Special Collections &
How to Find Them
• Locations
• Catalogues
• Gateways

57. Locations of Special Collections
Held in:
•Research libraries
•Universities
•National libraries
•Public libraries
•Museums
•Art galleries
•Historic houses
•Cathedrals
•Societies

58. Catalogues
• RASCAL: http://www.rascal.ie/
• Hayes’ Index of Manuscript Sources:
sources.nli.ie
• COPAC (general special collections material):
http://copac.ac.uk/
• British Library Catalogues:
http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/findhelprestype/catblhold/all/allcat.ht
• Karlsruhe Virtual Catalog (Useful for early printed
books):
http://www.ubka.uni-karlsruhe.de/kvk_en.html
• Universal Short Title Catalogue:
http://www.ustc.ac.uk/

59. Catalogues (2)
• Historic Libraries Forum:
http://www.historiclibrariesforum.org.uk/ (Map)
• Heritage of the Printed Book:
http://www.cerl.org/resources/hpb/main
• Material Evidence in Incunabula:
http://incunabula.cerl.org/cgi-bin/search.pl
• CERL Portal (Manuscripts & Early Printed
Material): http://cerl.epc.ub.uu.se/sportal/
 Example: Search ‘monkey’ in Early Printed
Material.

60. Gateways
• Record Repositories:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archon/
• Mapping Access to Special Collections in London
Area: http://www.masc25.ac.uk/

61. UCC Special Collections
• Facts About Special Collections, UCC
• Special Collections’ Reading Rooms
• Special Collections Website
• Dealing with Special Collections
• Finding Aids
• Special Collections Material in UCC
• Copyright
• Referencing & Citation

62. Facts About Special Collections,
UCC
• Collections: 80 and growing
• Date range of collections: 15th
century – present day
• Languages: Sumerian, Cuneiform, Breton
• 52,000 items in Special Collections
• 11,200 items in Older Printed Books
• Areas of Expertise:
 Irish Literature
 Anglo-Irish Literature
 Celtic Studies
 Frank O’Connor
 Older printed books: sciences, theology,
• Oldest book: Bruni’s Historia del Popolo Fiorentino (1476)
• Oldest newspaper on microfilm: Freeman’s Journal (1763)
• Oldest newspaper: Cork Evening Post; Cork Hibernian
Chronicle; Corke Journal (1769)

63. Special Collections Website
• Access via:
booleweb.ucc.ie – Services – Special Collections
• Information on the website covers:
 Opening Hours
 Subject specific course guides
 Topics
 Useful websites
 Portal for Manuscript Studies & Palaeography
& Medieval Manuscript Studies

64. Special Collections’ Reading Rooms
• Reference Reading Room:
 Contains general reference material and maps
 Use to access theses, material in good
condition and material post-1850
• Rare Books Reading Room:
 Use to access material in fragile condition,
material pre-1850, Strong Room Material
• Microform Room
 Contains microfilm and microfiche
• Closed Access Areas:
 Contain the majority of the collections

65. Reference Reading Room
Microform Room
Rare Books Reading Room

66. Dealing With Special Collections
• Managing expectations.
• Opening Hours are shorter.
• The majority of the collections need to be ordered.
 Date required.
 Item: Title, author, call number.
 Personal details: name, student / staff number
• Advice to Readers:
http://booleweb.ucc.ie/documents/Advice_to_Readers.pdf
• Using Rare Books Reading Room:
• http://booleweb.ucc.ie/documents/HandlingSCmaterialRBRR.p

67. Special Collections Material in
UCC
• Location: Library Catalogue – ‘William O’Brien’ –
Modify Search – Location – Special Collections
• Date: Library Catalogue – ‘William O’Brien’ –
Modify Search – Before: 1950
• Format: Library Catalogue – ‘William O’Brien’ –
Modify Search – Material Type - Thesis

68. Special Collections Material in
UCC (2)
Examples of Special Collections:
•Private Presses: Cuala, Dolmen, Three Candles
•Presses: Attic, CUP
•Individuals: Lynch, Goldberg
•University lecturer: Corkery, Cooke
•Collections on a theme: Bookplate Collection

69. Finding Aids
Material that is uncatalogued uses finding aids (.pdf
files)
•Newspaper listing
•Maps listing
•Manuscript listing
•Material in Strong Room listing

70. Copyright
• See Unit 5: Ethics in Using Research Information
• Much of the published material is in copyright and
subject to restrictions of ‘fair use.’
• Use:
 Published research
 Websites & digital resources
 Film, video or broadcast
 Public display or exhibition
 Merchandise

71. Referencing & Citation
• For further information see Unit 5: Ethics in Using
Research Information
• Much of the published material is in copyright and
needs to be cited appropriately.
• Credit: Special Collections, UCC Library

72. Conclusion
Following this unit you should now be able to:
•Have a greater understanding of the nature of special
collections’ material
•Identify and access special collections sources in Ireland
and further afield.
Survey
Please complete the survey on the Postgraduates /
Researcher page

73. Bibliography
“The Adoration of the Magi.” Turner, D.H., comment. The Hastings Hours: A
15th-century Flemish Book of Hours Made for William, Lord Hastings, Now in
the British Library, London. New York, N.Y.: Thames and Hudson, 1983.f.42.b
TR 745.6 TURN
Aquinas, Thomas. Incipiu[n]t preclarissima opuscula diui Thome aquinatis sacri
ordinis p[re]dicato[rum] in quibus o[mn]is ph[ilosophi]e [&] diuina[rum]
scriptura[rum] theoremata est co[m]plexus. [Venice: Hermann Lichtenstein,
1497]. L.3.18
“Bendy Brunel: How to Use Special Collections.” Brunel University London.
http://brunelspecialcollections.wordpress.com/tag/bendy-brunel/
Brown, Michelle. The Luttrell Psalter: A Facsimile. London: The British Library,
2006. TRF 091 LUTT
Bruni, Leonardo. Historia del Popolo Fiorentino. [Vinegia (Venice): Iacomo de
Rossi, 1476]. OPB f 945.5 FLOR.B
Buffon, Georges Louis Leclerc. Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. A Paris: De
l'Imprimerie royale, 1770-1786. Vol. 7 OPB f 598 BUFF v.1

74. Bibliography (2)
“Christ: The Nativity.” Backhouse, Janet, ed. The Isabella Breviary. London:
British Library, 1993. f.29 745.67 BACK
An Claidheamh Soluis. 1901.
Cullingford, Alison. “About.” Unique and Distinctive Collections: A Research
Libraries UK Project. http://rlukuniqueanddistinctive.wordpress.com/about/
Dissembled Car.
http://www.scenicreflections.com/download/534360/build_it_Wallpaper
Dooley, Jackie M., and Katherine Luce. Taking Our Pulse: The OCLC Research
Survey of Special collections and Archives. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC Research,
2010.
http://www.oclc.org/research/publications/library/2010/2010-11.pdf
Gutenberg Bible. Patterson, N.J.: Pageant Books, 1961. TRF 220.4 GUTE
v.1 - 2
Munster, Wilhemina FitzClarence. My Memories and Miscellanies. London:
Eveleigh Nash, 1904. Bookplate Collection 941.081 MUNS

75. Bibliography (3)
“Old Book Smell.” @HarperCollinsUK pic.twitter.com/bZDyaHwSP7 15
November 2013.
Porter, Katherine Anne. The Never-ending Wrong. London: Secker & Warburg,
1977. Goldberg 303.48 PORT
“Principal Parts of a Book and its Binding.”
http://www.bl.uk/blpac/pdf/bookbindings.pdf In PJM Marks. The British Library
Guide to Bookbinding: History and Techniques. London: British Library, 1998.
686.3 MARK
The Sarum Missal: Missale ad usum insignis et praeclarae Ecclesiae Sarum:
done into English and abridged. London: Alban Press, 1989. TR 264 SARU
Zeutschel OS15000 Overhead scanner with book cradle
http://www.zeutschel.de/zeutschel/export/sites/zeutschel/media/downloads/broc
hures/en/color_scanner_os15000.pdf

76. Module Structure
Unit 1: Research Resource
Discovery
Unit 2: Evaluating Research
Resource Results
Unit 3:Tracking Down
Results &
Keeping Up-to-date
Unit 4:Managing Your
Information
Unit 6: Publishing /
Disseminating Your Research
Unit 5: Ethics in Using
Research Information
Unit 7: Using Archives for
Research in Ireland
Unit 8: Using Special
Collections for Research in
Ireland
Compulsory
Optional