Some problems of special collections in research libraries, including methods of acquisition and disposal of duplicates and unwanted materials. (JS)

Discusses a library at the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) containing both classroom aids demonstrating the physical and creative development of books and a permanent, working collection of materials accessible to librarians, publishers, writers, and illustrators involved with children's literature. (JM)

This report identifies steps that might be taken by organizations, individual libraries, and libraries acting collectively to work towards resolution of the many problems that create the difficult and complex situation facing research libraries that has been brought on by the physical deterioration of books and journals. An attempt is made to…

Questionnaires and in-person visits to large academic libraries in 1971 form the basis of this report which reveals the low priority given to nonprint materials by the majority of these libraries. (Author)

This resource guide focuses on handling library materials that are too deteriorated to benefit from other preservation treatments. Hopeless case items, that would require an unreasonable amount of conservation work to fix, can be resolved through a process of reselecting items by replacing them or reformatting them. The reselection integrates…

Describes a systematic, disciplinary approach to setting preservation priorities at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library. Topics covered include guiding principles; development of a national preservation plan for agricultural literature; selecting for preservation in agriculture and biology; and digital technology and preservation. A…

Research libraries are urged to take part in a National Preservation Program for their most important library materials. Techniques of conservation of past and current materials, including microfilming and storage at low temperatures, are discussed, while a national preservation center which would store materials is also proposed. Development of…

In order to develop collections when given book budgets approaching the million dollar figure, libraries must consider the merits of approval plans. These merits and the importance of getting faculty support before engaging in approval plans are argued. (Author/NH)

Considers some important questions surrounding the deaccessioning of books and other materials from library collections: Should deaccessioned items be sold? How should materials for deaccessioning be selected? What are the channels for the sale of deaccessioned library materials? (JL)

Reviews the major problems in the bibliographic control of microforms, particularly monographs in microform. The shortcomings of current practices in the cataloging of microforms are identified, and suggestions are made for the improvement of bibliographic access to these materials. Twelve reference sources are cited. (JL)

Three major difficulties in establishing effective cooperative conservation programs are: (1) the problem of allocation of responsibilities for preserving individual items; (2) the lack of people adequately trained in physical preservation; and (3) the need for a national initiative in preservation. (PF)

Includes a 1991 lecture on the future of rare book libraries and a commentary from 2003. Topics include paper-based collections versus electronic resources; changes in general research libraries; budget shortages; changing priorities; reformatting library materials; and education for rare books and special collections librarians. (LRW)

A university library can and should be a center for individual access to all forms of research information media, both print and non-print. The author presents a summary account of an effort to determine existing needs at the University of Connecticut for non-print information resources and services under the following headings: the University of…

No single library can hope to acquire and organize for use more than a fraction of the primary sources of popular culture. Interinstitutional cooperation in identifying and preserving these fragile records of American culture is underway, but many unsolved problems remain for librarians and scholars. (8 references) (Author)

A table ranking research libraries (both university and non-university libraries) that compares volumes in library, volumes added in 1987-88, current serials, total staff, and total expenditures is presented. (MLW)