Bard Graduate Center’s Department of Research Collections, comprised of the library, study collection, and BGC archive, supports the research interests and needs of students, faculty, and fellows with resources from a non-circulating collection that includes approximately 60,000 books, 400 print periodicals, a wide range of databases, special collections comprising rare books and periodicals, and more.
In addition, Cancro also expands BGC students’ awareness of other libraries, archives, and special collections around the city that can be essential to their research. Recently, she organized a visit to the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Special Collections and College Archives. This highly-specialized repository of primary source materials related to fashion and design includes rare books, periodicals, oral histories, designer scrapbooks, manuscripts, and works on paper. Karen Trivette, head of special collections, introduced BGC students to the research space, showed them how to access items, and provided an opportunity for close looking at selected items in the collections.
Cancro also planned an outing to the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum’s Library for an orientation tour with head librarian Jennifer Cohlman Bracchi. Cooper Hewitt provides an excellent resource for the entire BGC community with a collection that comprises a wide range of material related to design and decorative arts from the fifteenth century to the present. Students toured the research spaces, took a close look at selected special collections items, and learned about accessing material.
According to first-year MA student Brielle Pizzala, the trips to other libraries and archives have been “incredible. I am amazed by the treasures held within libraries and archives that are only a subway ride away. I now know I can explore their collections and follow my curiosity.”
Learn more about Cancro and her role at BGC.
