A Complementary Document Approach – What Are the Challenges?

This article examines the significance of the "neo-documentary turn" in Library and Information Science (LIS), as described by Jenna Hartel, and argues for its continued relevance. Niels W. Lund’s complementary document analysis, inspired by Niels Bohr’s principle of complementarity, is highlighted as a key contribution, offering a framework to explore the physical, mental, and social dimensions of documents. Using examples such as Sophus Tromholt’s Sámi photographs, the article demonstrates how complementary analysis can uncover overlooked aspects of documents. However, challenges arise due to the interdisciplinary expertise required for such analyses. The article concludes by advocating for collaboration among specialists to fully realize the potential of complementary document analysis in understanding complex documents.