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NIU Libraries announce reorganization for Special Collections and Archives and expanded hours for spring 2022

February 10, 2022

As of  Monday, Jan. 31, researchers from across campus and the wider community have expanded access to the unique research collections held by the NIU Libraries. The Special Collections and Archives (SCA) Department is a newly created unit that coordinates the collecting, services, and programs of the Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) and the Regional History Center and University Archives (RHCUA).

After nearly two years of scaled-back activity due to the pandemic and personnel changes, the SCA is now in a position to provide a fuller range of engagement with students, faculty, staff and the extended NIU community. This includes enhanced onsite and remote reference, research consultations, instructional support, campus partnerships and other efforts that help fulfill NIU’s research, teaching and learning mission.

According to NIU Libraries Dean Fred Barnhart, the reorganization and increased activity for the SCA are priority for the library.

“NIU’s rare books, archives and special collections are what make us unique and reflect more than a century of NIU’s growth and transformation. The access we provide to students, faculty and researchers from all walks of life strengthens our connections to history and the humanities in general. With the changes we’ve all experienced the past few years, these vital connections are more important than ever,” Barnhart said.

As part of the reorganization, the libraries have recently filled two key faculty positions. During the spring and summer of 2021 they conducted a national search for applicants to head the department. The position was filled in November by Associate Professor Brad Wiles, a librarian and archivist with nearly 15 years of experience in academic, public and corporate settings. Wiles holds a M.A. in History from Western Illinois University and a MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies and expects to finish his dissertation examining community-based historical agencies later this year.

Beth McGowan, formerly subject specialist librarian for Health Sciences, has now assumed the position of Rare Books and Special Collections Librarian while continuing her work as subject specialist for the English Department. McGowan earned her Ph.D. focusing on the literatures of the Reformation from the University of Pennsylvania and taught literature full-time for ten years before earning her MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has taken courses in rare books both online and from the University of Virginia’s Rare Book School.

Currently, the RBSC Reading Room (Founders 403) is open two days per week, but on January 31 the hours changed to Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., with plans to expand hours further after the return from spring break in March. Walk-in visitors are welcome and patrons are be able to use all the SCA holdings in the Reading Room, including books, manuscripts and archives from all collection areas. The RBSC Reading Room will also host presentations, guest lectures, class sessions and other interdisciplinary activities that connect the SCA’s holdings with NIU’s scholarly and creative life. For more information about the RBSC’s new hours or to discuss programming, contact Beth McGowan at bmcgowan@niu.edu or 815-753-1947.

The RHCUA Office (Founders 400) does not have regularly scheduled walk-in hours, but researchers are able to schedule a visit during daytime library hours by contacting the RHCUA via phone or email with at least 48 hours notice. The RHCUA is also available for pre-planned sessions with classes, alumni members, campus and community organizations, and other groups and individuals interested in using the collections or finding out more about them. To pre-schedule a visit to the RHCUA Office contact Brad Wiles at bwiles@niu.edu or 815-753-9392.

Please contact Brad Wiles with all other Special Collections and Archives Department inquiries.