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.

ContentsForeword by Joel SilverIntroduction: "Our Time" and Staying RelevantChapter 1: A Brief History of Rare Book LibrariesChapter 2: Rare Books as Texts and Historical ArtifactsChapter 3:Getting to Know Your CollectionsChapter 4: Caring For and Preserving Rare BooksChapter 5: DigitizationChapter 6: Security and Disaster PreparednessChapter 7: Collection DevelopmentChapter 8: Accessioning and CatalogingChapter 9: Copyright Chapter 10: Outreach Chapter 11: Continuing Education Chapter 12: Selected Reference Resources Index