Ghost Records in the Archival Empire

Abstract In the libraries of many historically white colleges and universities, there is genuine desire and sincere effort to make primary source collections more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. But these endeavors are thwarted by long-standing internal practices and values. Laying bare the inner workings of special collections libraries within such institutions, I analyze the financial, epistemological, and cultural mechanisms that interfere with the building of archival collections relevant to African American history and experience.