Unlocking the Vault: Strategic Collaborations between Area Studies and Special Collections

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign houses one of the largest public university collections of rare books and manuscripts in the United States. Despite its vast and diverse holdings, certain areas of the collection, particularly Chinese-language materials, have been historically underutilized due to language barriers and the need for specialized knowledge. This article advocates for enhanced collaboration between special collections and area studies librarians to improve access and increase use of these resources. It examines the RBML’s challenges with cataloging and utilization of Chinese materials and proposes initiatives, including enriched public programming, curated exhibitions, targeted instructional sessions, and increased promotional efforts. These initiatives are designed to align with the University of Illinois’s strategic goals of inclusivity, global engagement, and academic excellence. Central to this endeavor is the collaboration with the Chinese Studies Librarian, whose knowledge and expertise is crucial in understanding and promoting these resources. The article underscores the significance of these initiatives in fully leveraging special collections and area studies, fostering the collection’s utilization, study, and appreciation by both local and global audiences. This project also aims to present an example for collaborations between special collections and area studies specialists within a given university.