Rare books and special collections From cuneiform coins and codices to prints drawings photographs and maps departments of rare books and special collections are the premier repositories of significant printed and manuscript works and artifacts. Entrusted with the responsibility of preserving the records of history and culture these institutions enable access to millions of source materials. Berger a veteran of rare book and special collections offers a landmark examination of this field aimed at practitioners in the library field instructors teaching courses on the subject booksellers private collectors historians bibliophiles and others involved in rare and unique materials. Showing readers everything they need to know about rare books and special collections this wide ranging book offers coverage of such key topics as: the profession s history and its relevance in the face of an increasingly digital world; archives relationship to the special collections department and their role in the wider institution; collection development cataloging processing physical layout and other operational functions with coverage of acquisition sources and methods; what everyone needs to know about the physical materials in their care including preservation conservation and restoration storage handling and security; reference and outreach services including a look at exhibitions and tours; fundraising and financial management; legal and ethical issues; forgeries fakes and facsimiles; bibliography and its impact on the rare book world including a look at booksellers donors and auctions; the present state of books in our digital environment; the vocabulary of the trade. Rare Books and Special Collections presents a meticulous and systematic understanding of this growing field