Special Collections and Research Techniques

[Kathleen DeLaney <kdelaney@acsu.buffalo.edu>]

Sandra Issacson suggested yesterday using the _American Library
Directory_ and contacting the SLA's Environmental Libraries Group
to locate environmental libraries in the US.

As someone who works in Special Collections, it is often VERY
difficult to properly identify repositories who hold special
collections related to environemental topics. These may include
the private papers of a prominant person, organization or even
governement departments.

I'd be interested to hear from those of you researching specific
topics, how you map a search strategy. Upon which databases do you
rely?  How have electronic lists aided in your search? And if you
do on-site research, how accurate has the information been that
you received prior to your visit to the institution? What do you
look for in a finding aid?

Thanks,

Kathleen