LIS 449 Rare Book and Special Collections_Librarianship
With the growth of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic applications in librarianship, the role of the Special Collections and Rare Book library has not gotten simpler. In fact, the new technology has added a layer of complexity to the life of the librarian, while many operations remain unchanged. Often, Special Collections/Rare Books Departments are like a library in microcosm, for many of these departments do all of what the parent instituion does, in both technical and public services. On top of this, many administrators look to the Rare Books Department and use the department's facilities and holdings for public relations and other fund-raising activities. This course is designed as a practical introduction to Rare Book and Special Collections Librarianship, to cover the many issues of these departments' responsibilities for the neophyte as well as the experienced librarian.