The Preservation and Maintenance of Special Research Collections in Public Libraries:

Abstract

Whether or not, or under what circumstances, public libraries should house special-subject research collections is examined with respect to: (1) feasibility of community participation in administrative decisionmaking and allocation of funds: (2) reliability of library/collection use statistics as measures of performance: (3) rationales for and costs of maintaining special collections. Literature on local history and performing arts research collections is discussed to illustrate practical administrative considerations. Creation of community participation opportunities, either through formal analyses of library communities or other methods, is advocated as essential with respect to the preservation and maintenance of special subject research collections in public libraries.