The Guide to Security Considerations and Practices for Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collection Libraries is the first such book intended specifically to address security in special collection libraries. Containing nineteen chapters, the book covers such topics as background checks, reading room and general building design, technical processing, characteristics and methods of thieves, materials recovery after a theft, and security systems. While other topics are touched upon, the key focus of this volume is on the prevention of theft of rare materials. The work is supplemented by several appendices, one of which gives brief biographies of recent thieves and another of which publishes Allen s important Blumberg Survey, which she undertook after that thief s conviction. The text is supported by illustrations, a detailed index, and an extensive bibliography. The work, compiled and edited by Everett C. Wilkie, Jr., contains contributions from Anne Marie Lane, Jeffrey Marshall, Alvan Bregman, Margaret Tenney, Elaine Shiner, Richard W. Oram, Ann Hartley, Susan M. Allen, and Daniel J. Slive, all members of the ACRL Rare Books & Manuscripts Section (RBMS) and experts in rare materials and the security of these materials within special collections. This work is essential reading for all those concerned with special collection security, from general library administrators to rare book librarians. -- ‡c From Amazon.com.

Here is a practical volume that focuses on the major security problems for libraries, archives, and museums. Written by a respected librarian and security consultant, Protecting Your Collection provides provides a thorough review of the procedures for protecting library, art, and archival collections against losses from theft, fire, flooding, and mutilation. Author Slade Gandert includes fascinating interviews with librarians, rare book dealers, archivists, detectives, and security professionals to find out who steals from institutional collections--how they do it and why they do it. Each chapter features case studies of intriguing security leaks in the institutional system and describes their outcome. This important book is beneficial reading for library staff and administrators.

Reference and Access: Innovative Practices for Archives and Special Collections explores how archives of different sizes and types are increasing their effectiveness in serving the public and meeting internal needs. The book features twelve case studies that demonstrate new ways to interact with users to answer their questions, provide access to materials, support patrons in the research room, and manage reference and access processes. The featured case studies are Building Bridges: Closing the Divide between Minimally Processed Collections and Researchers Managing Risk with a Virtual Reading Room: Two Born-Digital Projects Improvements on a Shoestring: Changing Reference Systems and Processes Twenty-First Century Security in a Twentieth-Century Space: Reviewing, Revising and Implementing New Security Practices in the Reading Room Talking in the Night: Exploring Webchats to Serve New Audiences A Small Shop Meets a Big Challenge: Finding Creative Ways to Assist the Researchers of the Breath of Life Archival Institute for Indigenous Languages The Right Tool at the Right Time: Implementing Responsive Reproduction Policies and Procedures Going Mobile: Using iPads to Improve the Reading Room Experience Beyond “Trial by Fire”: Towards A More Active Approach to Training New Reference Staff Access for All: Making Your Archives Website Accessible for People with Disabilities No Ship of Fools: A Digital Humanities Collaboration to Enhance Access to Special Collections Websites as a Digital Extension of Reference: Creating a Reference and IT Partnership for Web Usability Studies Each of these case studies deconstructs reference and access services into their essential elements: interacting with people who have questions, providing access to materials that meet researcher needs, assisting researchers as they use materials, and managing the processes needed to support reference and access. The volume will be useful to those working in archives and special collections as well as other cultural heritage organizations, and provides ideas ranging from the aspirational to the immediately implementable. It also provides students and educators in archives, library, and public history graduate programs a resource for understanding the issues driving change in the field today and the kinds of strategies archivists are using to meet these new challenges.

"Collections: A Journal for Museum and Archives Professionals" is a multi-disciplinary peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the discussion of all aspects of handling, preserving, researching, and organizing collections. Curators, archivists, collections managers, preparators, registrars, educators, students, and others contribute.

Successfully managing rare book collections requires very specific knowledge and skills. This handbook provides that essential information in a single volume. 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.