Rare Book Librarianship: An Introduction and Guide

by Steven Galbraith

Rare Book Librarianship for the 21st Century is the first new rare books handbook of practice in 25 years. Authored by two special collections experts with extensive field experience, this book is also the first to discuss the role of digital technologies in managing a rare book collection. ||After a fascinating discussion of the history and current state of rare book libraries, this handbook provides a comprehensive account of the core skills and knowledge needed to be a successful rare book librarian. Topics include best practices for handling, housing, and conserving rare materials; collection development techniques; and user education and outreach. This book will serve as a handbook for practitioners in academic settings, large public libraries, and special libraries, and as a textbook for students in MLIS courses on rare book librarianship and curatorship.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Librarianship

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 21, 2012

Reviews

[Reb]

Read for INFO 284: Special Collection, a MLIS course at SJSU's iSchool.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads)]

Rating: 3 stars - I liked it

This was a good introductory textbook for anyone wanting to learn about rare book librarians. Galbraith and Smith cover the basic skills and knowledge necessary for working with rare books, including issues like security threats and storage issues. But be advised, this book was written in 2012 so some of the information within is already outdated.

If you already work in the library field, especially a historical center or archive, you will probably already know most of this information though, even if you don’t work directly with rare books. So this text most likely won’t be helpful for you, but the last chapter, Continuing Education, does provide helpful journals, organizations, etc. that could be useful for those already in this field.

[Jen Keyer]

really interesting as a student in a rare books collection currently. I really needed some of the knowledge this book has to offer. I do think they only minimal highlighting of cataloging was greatly disappointing. yes I am cataloging in a special collection which I never thought would be fun but it is. 4/5 would recommend if you have limited knowledge.

[Sheidu Isah]

please can someone discuss in detail the manuscript and rare book with and examples. thanks

[Rebecca Dougherty]

A little out of date but still useful.

[Jason]

Unlike some of the other Libraries Unlimited publications out there (I’m looking at you, Library and Information Center Management), this isn’t a snoozefest. But it is definitely only an introduction to the field, so folks who are already working with rare books will find sections of the work little more than a gentle refresher (or maybe even a rehashing?). Personally, I was looking for a small spark to get me going since I have a new session of Rare Book School on the horizon, and it certainly did its job.

[Adrienne Bross]

The authors of this book spend a good deal of time explaining the concepts, troubles, and passions that are involved with special collection and rare book librarianship. Easy to understand and comprehend, they give a great deal of information that allows for a positive look into the world of rare books and all of the highs and pitfalls contained within.

[Lynne]

A great basic introduction to Rare Book Librarianship for the 21st century. Focused very much on Rare Books: those with other special collections duties might need to seek elsewhere for additional information.

[Saima]

Textbook for Rare Books and Manuscripts class (Fall 2020)

[Alexia McCabe]

I don't feel like this book was nearly as strong or well-written as the Cave book I read before.