Special Collections in College and University Libraries

Macmillan Publishing Company, New York / Collier Macmillan Publishers, London, first edition, 1989. Cloth, large 4to, 29 cm,. xv, 639 pp. From the blurb: "Special Collections in College and University Libraries is the only reference tool that equips the researcher with complete information about special collections. It is not simply a directory of special libraries nor is it a listing by subject of a library's holdings. Rather, it is a compilation of detailed, descriptive information about special collections, rare books, and manuscripts to be found in the libraries of colleges and universities throughout the United States. Moving beyond the “locked room” concept of special collections, this reference work broadens the term to include specialized collections that exist also within libraries' general stacks and in department libraries, from first editions of a local author to pamphlets from the French Revolution. Covering two- and four-year institutions that have special collections open to the public, this guide describes a remarkable array of holdings: topical collections in history, science, religion, the arts, and literature; and collections devoted to the work of a single individual, whether an architect's portfolios or a poet's letters. There are also holdings that center upon local concerns - records, ledgers, and other documents - and others formed on the basis of genre - childrens' books, genealogies, dictionaries, diaries, and the fascinating category of books about books. With more than 1,800 profiles of institutions of higher learning listed and two indexes - one for institutions, one for subjects - Special Collections delivers more data, more efficiently, than any other similar directory. Some ink sidelining and a few ink notes, otherwise near Very Good in dustwrapper. Fore-edge thumbed.