Opening the Digital Stacks: Accessibility and Discoverability Across Disciplines

By Holly Francis (Associate Head of Marketing, AM) Hollyf@amdigital.co.uk

Primary Sources for the Humanities and Beyond

Whether it’s a business major examining historical trade records, a public health researcher analysing archival epidemiology data, or an engineering student studying the social context of infrastructure projects, primary sources have expansive scope beyond traditional use in humanities research.

Academic libraries are uniquely positioned to leverage digital primary source collections that encourage interdisciplinary research, support innovative scholarship, and cultivate critical thinkers across all fields of study.

How Do Digital Primary Sources Support Interdisciplinary Research?

When students work with original, unfiltered records, they learn to interrogate data, recognise bias, and construct evidencebased arguments. These are skills not bound to any single discipline; rather, they form a foundation for many successful career paths. Even including those yet to be imagined.

Enriched metadata, contextual guides, and AI-driven tools such as Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) are all used to enhance discoverability across subject areas. These make it easier for researchers in STEM, social sciences, and the arts, perhaps unfamiliar with primary source content, to uncover relevant materials that spark new lines of inquiry.

Interdisciplinary Value in Practice

In recent years, libraries have demonstrated the power of primary sources to bridge disciplinary boundaries. Environmental science students have conducted datamining projects using historical climate data from ship logs; political science researchers have compared policy shifts using archival newspapers; and computer science students have trained machine learning models on digitised manuscripts. Each case underscores how primary sources can enrich research far beyond a traditional humanities context.

In this issue we’ve explored the value of digital primary sources within libraries like yours. From the technologies that support users with a broad range of needs, to the interdisciplinary nature of the material itself, and the enduring value of a humanities education to creating career-ready graduates.

In “How to Position Archives to Different Student Groups,” Laura Blomvall speaks with Professor Claire Battershill of the University of Toronto about tailoring archival engagement to the needs of different disciplines. From English Literature students conducting close readings of poetry to Information Studies students critically evaluating digitisation practices, Battershill demonstrates how archives, both physical and digital, can be framed to meet learners where they are while fostering archival literacy and creative inspiration.

In “From the Archive to the Screen: Unlocking Knowledge and Expanding Research Through Accessible Digital Primary Sources,” Bee Cassim offers a behind-the-scenes look at AM’s commitment to accessibility as an evolving standard. She explores how the AM Quartex platform integrates WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, user feedback, and cutting-edge tools like HTR to break down barriers for researchers. The article shows how accessibility features designed for inclusivity also power innovation across disciplines, from STEM data analysis to environmental and public health research.

In “What Powers Discoverability and Accessibility at the Heart of Your Library?” Jennifer Wedge reveals the critical, often invisible role metadata plays in making digital archives usable. She explains how detailed, standards-based metadata that is integrated into library systems ensures researchers across all fields can find, connect, and analyse primary sources. From MARC 21 cataloguing to controlled vocabularies, Wedge illustrates how good metadata bridges subject silos, enabling unexpected research connections.

In “Archives in Science: Using Colonial Records to Map Today’s Geological Risks,” Clare Kellar profiles the work of U.S. Geological Survey scientist Brian Atwater, who uses British Colonial Office records from AM’s Colonial Caribbean collection to study prehistoric tsunamis. His research demonstrates the tangible, contemporary value of historical archives in scientific fields and illuminates how past human records can inform modern risk assessment and public safety planning.

In “Curiosity and the Critical Role of Primary Sources in Building Career-Ready Graduates,” Martha Fogg argues that curiosity, nurtured through engagement with authentic, challenging primary sources, is among the most valuable skills in today’s job market. Drawing on her own career experience and employer data, she makes the case that primary source research develops analytical thinking, empathy, and adaptability, preparing students not just for their first job, but for leadership in an uncertain future.

By investing in digital primary sources, libraries can foster interdisciplinary collaboration across campus and support long-term student success goals. Read on to find out how.