Past: Kent Library Athenaeum

Compulsive hoarding is characterized by the acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions and clutter that prevents the use of living spaces as intended, and often the items acquired are unsanitary, worthless or hazardous. Increasingly, archivists are acquiring historically important materials from hoarded environments, including offices and homes. Acquiring materials from hoarders poses significant challenges to archivists who rely in part on the retention decisions of creators and collectors. Roxanne Dunn, Special Collections and Archives Librarian in Kent Library, will present this material based on her research with archival materials from hoards. This presentation is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will also be served.