Curating and Accessing Off-Site Special Collections: Area Studies Materials and High-Density Storage

The ongoing growth of academic, public, and special libraries collections around the world, combined with limited physical space and budget constraints, has prompted university administrators and librarians to create and implement plans for storage facilities, often high-density in nature and off-site (not housed in the same building or location as other library materials). This article provides an analysis of area studies materials at the Oak Street Library Facility and the implications for long-term access to and care of vernacular language materials at academic libraries.