The Role and Future of Special Collections in Research Libraries

British and American Perspectives

What does the future hold for special collections in research libraries? Will special collections be an important feature in humanistic research or will technology make special collections irrelevant to research in the humanities? The Role and Future of Special Collections in Research Libraries explores the answers to these questions by examining special collections in British and American libraries and the changing trends in research and scholarship as they relate to special collections.

This book examines the particular experience of a variety of special collections in British research libraries. By learning more about British experiences related to special collections, North American libraries will discover new ways to manage existing information resources in light of diminished funding. The topics cover this essential role of special collections in these areas:

• the British perspective on issues relating to access and preservation of manuscripts, reproduction from originals, confidentiality, and the development of collections

• a historical overview of changes in special collections

• technology and special collections

• balancing the collection and preservation of books and manuscripts with the acquisition of new materials in electronic format

  The Role and Future of Special Collections in Research Libraries brings together international perspectives on library programs to help librarians and library administrators understand the factors that influence special collections. With the help of this insightful book, librarians will learn how to develop and modify future programs and services to maintain excellent special collections.