Brenda Gunn, the director of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library and the Harrison Institute for American History, Literature and Culture, explores how students can approach the collections with curiosity, and how this can deepen their understanding of history. From exhibitions to the broader museum world, she reflects on the vital work of archivists in ensuring that even the quietest and oppressed voices are heard.
What makes the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library “special”
Walking from Monroe Hall to Shannon Library, you’ll pass Peabody Hall and beyond–Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. Many students might not even realize it’s there, but they’re missing out.
Special Collections houses not only historical and literary collections, but also 21st-century media that reflect society’s digital evolution.




