There are a number of research institutions throughout the world holding collections dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of the science fiction and fantasy genres. This history is expressed through the published and broadcast works themselves, the secondary literature devoted to them, the primary materials (i.e. authors’ manuscripts) that are their building blocks, and the products lovingly created by fans in response to those works.  Together these types of materials chart the birth, development, and evolution of the SF&F genres, and without them, researchers and scholars, as well as fans, will be unable to get a sense of where the genres came from and where they might be headed in the future. Several SF&F librarians and archivists will discuss their collections (with images of some of the more important or interesting materials), the uses to which they are or can be put, and the importance placed upon SF&F creators to preserve their work for future scholars. The panel will focus heavily on discussion between and amongst the three panelists and the audience in order to foster interesting and proactive conversations.

Panelists:
Lynne M. Thomas, Curator, Rare Books and Special Collections, Northern Illinois University, specializing in embedded curatorship, the SFWA Archives, digital preservation, and fundraising.

Elspeth Healey, Special Collections Librarian, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas. Elspeth’s curatorial responsibilities include KU’s SF collections, which have particular strength for the Golden Age of science fiction.

Jeremy Brett, Processing Archivist and Curator, Science Fiction & Fantasy Research Collection, Texas A&M University.