Completed from United Kingdom
I took the Advanced Special Collections course because I wanted to boost my practical skills, and it definitely delivered. The lessons on handling fragile manuscripts were hands‑on and easy to follow. I loved the interactive discussion boards where we shared tips on creating collection policies – I even used a template from the course to draft a new policy for our university's rare map collection. The PDFs were well‑organised and the quizzes helped cement the concepts. All in all, a solid learning experience that helped me meet my career objectives.
The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Special Collections Management exceeded my expectations. The curriculum was perfectly aligned with my goal of leading a rare books department. I especially appreciated the module on descriptive cataloguing using MARC21, which I have already applied to our institutional repository. The case studies on digitisation workflows gave me practical steps to develop a digitisation plan for our local history collection. All reading materials were up‑to‑date and the video lectures were clear and concise. Overall, the course delivered professional‑grade knowledge and I feel fully prepared for senior archival roles.
Wow! This course was exactly what I needed to take my passion for special collections to the next level. The instructor’s enthusiasm made complex topics like provenance research feel exciting. I learned how to use the ArchivesSpace platform for accessioning, and I immediately used that skill to set up a digital catalogue for my library’s rare Hindi manuscripts. The supplemental video tours of world‑class archives were inspiring and gave me real‑world context. The course material was current, relevant, and presented in a lively way. I’m thrilled with the knowledge I gained and can’t wait to apply it.
The Advanced Certificate in Special Collections Management offered a detailed and thorough exploration of the field. I was particularly impressed by the module on conservation techniques, where I learned step‑by‑step procedures for deacidification and climate‑control monitoring. The course included downloadable checklists and a comprehensive bibliography that I have already referenced while preparing a preservation plan for our African oral history recordings. The balance of theory and practical assignments, such as creating a mock acquisition proposal, made the learning experience both challenging and rewarding. I left the course feeling confident in my ability to manage and protect special collections.
