Rare Books and Special Collections

by Sidney E. Berger

Overview

From cuneiform, coins, and codices to prints, drawings, photographs, and maps, departments of rare books and special collections are the premier repositories of significant printed and manuscript works and artifacts. Entrusted with the responsibility of preserving the records of history and culture, these institutions enable access to millions of source materials. Berger, a veteran of rare book and special collections, offers a landmark examination of this field, aimed at practitioners in the library field, instructors teaching courses on the subject, booksellers, private collectors, historians, bibliophiles, and others involved in rare and unique materials. Showing readers everything they need to know about rare books and special collections, this wide-ranging book offers coverage of such key topics as The profession's history and its relevance in the face of an increasingly digital world Archives' relationship to the special collections department and their role in the wider institution Collection development, cataloging, processing, physical layout, and other operational functions, with coverage of acquisition sources and methods What everyone needs to know about the physical materials in their care, including preservation, conservation, and restoration, storage, handling, and security Reference and outreach services, including a look at exhibitions and tours Fundraising and financial management Legal and ethical issues Forgeries, fakes, and facsimiles Bibliography and its impact on the rare book world, including a look at booksellers, donors, and auctions The present state of books in our digital environment The vocabulary of the trade

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781555709648
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	06/09/2014
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	560
Sales rank:	237,315
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

1. Some practical realities 2. Running a rare book department 3. Archives 4. The physical materials of the collection 5. Physical layout and operations 6. Fund-raising 7. Security 8. Legal issues 9. Bibliography 10. Book collecting and handling 11. Outreach 12. Preservation, conservation, restoration, and disaster planning 13. Special collections departments today 14. Other issues Afterword Appendix 1: RBMS Thesauri and Rare Book Cataloging Appendix 2: Levels of Collecting and the RLG Conspectus Appendix 3: Booksellers’ Catalogs and the Business of Selling Appendix 4: Paper Sizes Appendix 5: RBMS Standards and Guidelines Appendix 6: Department Forms Appendix 7: Citing Sources and Plagiarism

Editorial Reviews

10/01/2014
This handbook presents a comprehensive overview of the essential information needed by library professionals working with rare books and special collections in academic libraries, private repositories, and large public libraries. Berger (director, Phillips Lib., Peabody Essex Museum) covers the broad scope of responsibilities involved in managing a special collection, including acquisition and collection development, handling and preservation of rare books and archival materials, fundraising, security and facilities issues, disaster planning, outreach, and digitization. The text successfully balances both a big-picture view of managing rare books departments while addressing, in detail, issues that are specific to the experiences of special collections librarians. The author's personal anecdotes in the sidebars helpfully reinforce and provide real-world context for the best practices he outlines in the narrative. The extensive bibliography and appendixes are especially useful for further research into specific topics. This work should be considered a companion to Rare Book Librarianship by Geoffrey D. Smith, et al (2012). VERDICT Recommended as ready reference for all library professionals who are responsible for rare books and special collections.—Kathryn Wells, Providence P.L.

Library Journal