Working in Special Collections is a joy, but it is not without its terrors. The persistent challenge of preserving collections for long-term access requires vigilance, patience, and the courage to face entropy each and every day. This semester – just in time for Halloween – you can experience some of the chills that archivists face each day down in the stacks.

From the woes of water leaks to the eerie odors of decaying film reels, you will bear witness to the shocking sights and sounds of archival life, on display in-person during the fall semester 2025 in the second floor reading room in the John K. Mullen Library at CatholicU. You may also witness the exhibit online here: It Came from the Archives – Presentation Challenges in Special Collections