Archives Confidential: True Stories of Restricted Archives

About

What happens when an archive contains something the public cannot access? Restricted Archives Night brings together stories of archivists, librarians, museum professionals, historians, and others who work with restricted or sensitive collections for an evening of conversation at Thomas Balch Library. Participants will share experiences involving materials with restricted access, whether because of donor agreements, privacy concerns, legal requirements, sensitive content, preservation issues, unprocessed collections, or other circumstances. No secrets will be revealed: rather than revealing information that must remain confidential, speakers will discuss the stories surrounding these materials: why access was restricted, how the situation was handled, what challenges arose, and how professionals balance their responsibility to provide access with their obligation to protect collections and the people represented within them. The evening will offer an opportunity to pull back the curtain and reveal the decisions that usually happen behind the scenes. Through examples and informal conversation, attendees will explore questions of access, ethics, privacy, stewardship, and what it means when things are restricted. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation. Come with a story or case study to share!