Introduction to Special Collections & Archives
Special Collections & Archives is a department of the Bowdoin College Library that houses rare books, manuscripts, and the College Archives.
Want to learn more about SC&A? Watch this brief introduction with Marieke, Special Collections Education and Outreach Librarian:
Maps of Bowdoin College
Spend a few minutes getting a sense of what you’re looking at—think about the scope of the material, the date range, authorship, and intended audience.
What is this map about?
Who is this map for?
How might you compare your understanding/knowledge of campus with the way it is depicted on this map?
What else is going on here? Ground your discussion in what you see on the map and articulate to each other what follow-up questions you have.
A Recognition
SC&A, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.