K-12 education and outreach
We regularly work with school and community groups to introduce younger students to Special Collections. For example, each August, Special Collections welcomes 50-75 local fifth graders (10- and 11-year-olds) into our reading room. They discuss ancient writing systems, find familiar landmarks on a 1917 town map, and compare the illustrations in herbals to modern photos of plants. I usually coordinate these visits. I also work closely with the state coordinator for National History Day to do workshops for area educators.