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Re: special collections question



Christine:

At Hollins, we have a Hollins Authors Collection, consisting of
publications by and about Hollins faculty and alumnae/i.   We process ours
with a fancy acid-free bookplate (attached only at the top), an a-f
identification tag with the call number written in pencil at the top and
barcode on the other side, plus a mylar bookjacket cover if the book has a
dust jacket.  Slim items get placed in a pamphlet binder ; periodical
publications go in file folders in a file cabinet ; video and sound
recordings with other sound recordings, etc.

Our collection used to be in the rare book room but a special room was
built to show off our collection in our new library.  Since these are now
accessible to the public (but can't check out), I had to place the magnetic
strips in the books so they won't walk out the door, at least in theory.
Any books which I consider too fragile or valuable are kept in locked
cabinets in the same room.  The collection is still considered part of
special collections but I have, unfortunately, lost a certain amount of
control over it.  I dread doing the inventory this summer because I know
some books have already walked off.  Sigh!

The idea of having such a collection is a good idea and makes the alumni
(not to mention Development) happy but I have found that it's a lot of work
 keeping it current and locating OP publications to fill in for past years.
 Some alums are great about donating (or at least letting us know about)
their publications while others don't bother.  Then we get complaints "I
can't believe you don't have so and so's work."  Even though Faculty are
very enthusiastic about such a collection, it's often hard to get them to
follow through on donations or citations.

Good luck!

Beth Harris


****************************************************************************
Beth S. Harris          Special Collections Management Librarian
Wyndham Robertson Library       POB 9000, 7950 E. Campus Drive
Hollins University                      Roanoke, VA  24020
Fax: (540) 362-6756             Ph.: (540) 362-6237
Website:  http://www.hollins.edu

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