Lumping (and Splitting) LAMs: The Story of Grouping Libraries, Archives, and Museums

Eviatar Zerubavel's work on cognitive classifications ("lumping" and "splitting") provides the theoretical basis for this literature-based review and narrative analysis of works in which libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) are referred to in concert. Different narratives emerge based on whether authors are "insiders" (practitioners) or "outsiders" (including grant-funding agencies, policy makers, or researchers). The story that emerges exposes the influence of institutional and professional practice, digitization, research, policy, funding, and technological determinism in shaping how we talk (and how we subsequently think) about LAMs in the aggregate. Policy rhetoric stands out as a powerful voice focused on the goal of access for all. Gaps in the story around selection, funding, users, and technology are highlighted as areas for future research.