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Special collections in academic libraries provide rich learning environments for student engagement. This article describes the introduction of an independent study course by an academic library department as a high-impact educational practice supporting undergraduate research. Under the supervision of the faculty archivist, the student in this study was challenged to discover and research “gems,” unusual or significant items, on a topic of her choosing. She selected three works related to James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, showcasing her research at the university’s Student Faculty Research Symposium and creating a library display as her final project. This case study explores background information and describes the course, its inception, and the student’s project. It includes a discussion of benefits and challenges, transferability, scalability, and the application of a constructivist approach to teaching and learning. Limitations and further research are also included in this study.
