To: Library Staff Involved in Book Selection, Acquisition, and Cataloging

Re: Guidelines for Routing Book Selections, Gifts, and Transfers to the Rare Book Collection

Date: November 2, 1993 (updated February 20, 1997)

Recent queries to the RBC suggest to me that a set of the current, general guidelines used by RBC in its selection of materials for transfer to Wilson Library might be helpful to other librarians in identifying possible transfers. These guidelines would also be useful in the routing of gift books or books acquired by purchase. The criteria we have adopted are based upon the recommendations issued by ACRL/RBMS as modified by us to accommodate our very real space and staff limitations. The present guidelines represent a rather modest updating of past ones and are not, in any case, meant to be interpreted in a rigid manner. From time to time, there will be individual items which fall outside these guidelines but which we will want to consider for the RBC. As in the past, we invite all staff to bring such materials to our attention. Suggestions should be addressed directly to the Curator.

1. General Categories for Transfer to the RBC:
   1. All books (monograph or serial) printed before 1801, regardless of condition or other
      factors
   2. Books (monograph or serial) printed between 1801 and 1830, selectively, based on condition
   3. Books (monographs or serial) printed between 1831 and 1870, very selectively, based on condition, relevance to existing collections in RBC, textual importance, rarity, or monetary value.
2. Specific Categories:
   1. Bindings:
      1. Finely bound books of any period, selectively, based on interest and condition of the binding. [This would include examples of elaborately decorated cloth bindings of the 19th century, if very fine condition.]
      2. Books or pamphlets bound in original paper wrappers (i.e., paperbound), printed before 1900.
   2. Illustrated books: Examples of important book illustrators of any period will be accepted selectively, based the interest of the illustrations and the condition of the book
   3. Private Press Books and other examples of fine printing.
   4. Limited and signed editions (limitation of less than 300 copies; higher if an outstanding book or author).
   5. Proof copies or review copies of literary authors of any period or language.
   6. Autographed or inscribed copies of significant authors (including non-literary). [If in doubt on significance of the author, offer it.]
   7. Other important association copies (e.g. a book owned by a person of significance)
   8. Books of high monetary value (individual non-serial titles valued at more than $1000).
   9. Miniature Books (less than 10 cm in height).
3. Authors and Subjects Systematically Collected by the RBC
   1. English Authors: Samuel Beckett, James Boswell, Edmund Burke, Byron, A. Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, T.S. Eliot, Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes, Samuel Johnson, James Joyce, Tennyson, Thackeray, Ruskin, G.B. Shaw, and Wordsworth.
   2. American Authors: James Dickey, Emerson, Faulkner, Robert Frost, Hawthorne, Hemingway, Longfellow, Robert Lowell, Walker Percy, Sylvia Plath, Ezra Pound, Adrienne Rich, Ann Sexton, Thoreau, and Whittier.
   3. Publisher's Imprints: Firms of John Murray, Smith/Elder, Ticknor and Fields, Grove Press, J.M. Dent (Everyman's Library only) [based on excellence of condition]. Also books printed by various members or associates of the Estienne Family in the 16th and 17th centuries.
   4. History of Printing and Publishing (all periods, from incunabula to the 20th century, including reference materials).
   5. Other subjects: French Revolution and Napoleon, Confederate Imprints, Civil War Novels, Americans Traveling Abroad (19th century accounts), Mazarinades, editions of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," Explorations of the New World, and Mystery/Detective Novels (hardcover and paper depending on condition).
4. Disposition of Books Suggested for Transfer
   1. Suggested Transfers, gifts or other possible candidates for the RBC may be placed in one of two locations: the RBC shelf in Davis Circulation or the Inspector's Cabinet in Davis Acquisitions.
   2. With any books left in these locations, please indicate your name, the rationale for inclusion in the RBC, and directions as to what the RBC should do with the books if the decision on transfer is negative.
   3. Any questions concerning transfers should be addressed to the Curator of Rare Books directly (at 2-1143 or e-mail:cbmcnama@email.unc.edu).