Book Review: Rare Book Librarianship: An Introduction and Guide

Abstract

Rare Book Librarianship: An Introduction and Guide. By Steven K. Galbraith and Geoffrey D. Smith. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2012. 185 p. $55 acid-free paper (ISBN: 978-1-59158-881-8). With unique perspectives and specializations developed through working with modern European books in an independent research library and modern American books at a large public university, Galbraith and Smith's Rare Books Librarianship provides a broad overview of the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for the successful professional. The work offers twelve chapters, each containing footnotes, suggested further reading, and in some instances, images, diagrams, and links to recommended websites. A brief biographical summary of each author as well as an ample index are provided. The book opens with a brief overview of the history of rare book libraries involving the origin of book production, growth of book collecting, and types of rare book libraries. Chapter two, divided into two parts, describes the importance of rare books not only as texts but also as historical artifacts. Part one addresses the types of rare book bibliographies, particularly the components and terminology of a descriptive bibliography; part two discusses materials produced in the modern era (defined by the authors as 1800s to present), including types of collections, and the late nineteenth-century movement called fine printing (37) or the book as an art object. The following chapter covers the importance of researching the provenance of items in a rare book collection and the significance of appraisal values in evaluating and justifying the importance of a collection. Chapter four provides an overview of the concepts involved in rare book conservation and preservation including best practices for handling, storing, stabilizing, and treating fragile materials in the collection. The succeeding chapter describes the importance of rare book digitization as not only a way of improving research access, but also as a way of decreasing prospective handling of materials and thus preserving them for posterity. Chapter six discusses basic planning and preventive measures involving theft, damage, and potential disasters. The subsequent chapter defines the elements of rare book collection development, and examples of general policies and acquisition strategies are provided. Chapter eight discusses the vital role of timely accessioning and cataloging of materials, which not only provides judicious access for researchers, but also inspires the confidence of current and prospective donors. The ninth chapter provides a brief overview of the essentials of copyright law when managing rare book collections. …