The Reference, Outreach, and Access Section (RAO) is pleased to announce the launch of a new SAA epublication series, Case Studies on Teaching With Primary Sources, a peer-reviewed publication opportunity for sharing successful, innovative, and experimental approaches to teaching and outreach using primary sources: https://www2.archivists.org/publications/epubs/Case-Studies-Teaching-With-Primary-Sources. This SAA epublication arose out of the recently completed work of the SAA/Association of College and Research Libraries’ (ACRL) Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) Joint Task Force on Primary Source Literacy (JTF-PSL). The RAO leadership collaborated with the JTF-PSL and SAA’s publications editor and director to envision and implement Case Studies on Teaching With Primary Sources.

Each case study will reference one or more of the 22 learning objectives in the Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy, which are intended to “articulate broadly the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by researchers to successfully conceptualize, find, understand, analyze, and use primary sources.” Case studies illustrate explicitly the application of one or more of these learning objectives in teaching, articulate how and why specific learning objectives were chosen as the focus of the case, and provide information on actual or potential assessment strategies to determine the efficacy of the interventions detailed in the case.

In addition to the first published case study, authored by RAO member Samantha Crisp, the case studies website provides a link to the Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy (currently under review by SAA’s Standards Committee), detailed information on how to submit a case study for publication consideration, and a submission form that will help authors structure case studies successfully. RAO members are encouraged to consider highlighting their instruction and outreach work by authoring case studies.

Alison Stankrauff
RAO Chair