Book Reviews 523 chapter content, and the “Endnotes” sec- tion following each chapter are superb, focusing on legal authorities that sup- port Lipinski’s interpretation of the law. Fortunately, though…[etc.]” Fortunately, though, the author has relegated these to the end of the chapter, so that readers who wish to analyze the legal basis of the content have extensive means for do- ing so, while readers who do not require intensive legal documentation can easily skip the notes and still benefit from the content. Readers who choose to do so can also gain selective access to the content by using the superb subject index included at the end of the handbook. In conclusion, it is readily apparent that this hefty handbook is the “go-to” resource for librarians who wish to learn more about the intricacies of licensing. As the definitive source, it offers helpful, practical information for all audience levels, thereby rendering it indispensable for all academic libraries. Ultimately, The Librarian’s Legal Companion for Licensing Information Resources and Services is unpar- alleled in its coverage and will remain so for a very long time.—Lynne F. Maxwell, West Virginia University College of Law. Steven K. Galbraith and Geoffrey D. Smith. Rare Book Librarianship: An Introduction and Guide. Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited, 2012. 185p. acid- free paper, $55.00 (ISBN 978-1-59158- 881-8). LC 2012-012354. Rare Book Librarianship: An Introduction and Guide by Steven K. Galbraith and Geoffrey D. Smith marks one of the first handbooks published about rare book librarianship and rare books in over twenty years. This publication is also the first to include in- formation about the impact of digital tech- nologies and how new technologies relate to the management and maintenance of rare book collections. The authors’ goal for the book “…is to help prepare students for a career in this exciting and challenging field and to offer guidance to librarians who are relatively new to the field” (xvi). The book is divided into twelve chapters, each touching on important skills and knowledge needed to manage rare book collections successfully. Additionally, each chapter offers suggested practices that re- late to collection development and work- ing with rare book dealers, handling and conserving rare items, and education and outreach as it relates to users. Each chap- ter concludes with a section of notes and further readings, and the book closes with a comprehensive index. It is the authors’ intention that the topics discussed in this book will be applicable to library science graduate students, rare book librarians, and any professional working with special collections in a library setting. The first chapter, “A Brief History of Rare Book Libraries,” provides a short survey history of rare book libraries from the late nineteenth century to the pres- ent day. There is some mention of very early rare book collections and libraries to help convey the evolution of rare book libraries through time. The concepts that determine what makes a book rare and where many rare book libraries began are sprinkled throughout this chapter, as well as information concerning the formation of academic and independent rare book libraries. The authors conclude the chapter with a discussion about rare book libraries in the twenty-first century and the pros- pect of a bright future in these libraries. Chapter 2, “Rare Books as Texts and Historical Artifacts,” is divided into two parts: Bibliography and Books from the Hand-Press Period 1450–1800; and Mod- ern Printing. This chapter discusses in depth all the fundamental components associated with rare books and rare book librarianship. Galbraith and Smith state, “We would suggest that the great- est joy of any rare book librarian is the actual handling of books for the purpose of description in all its physical aspects from format to paper to type to binding and more” (13). Part I covers the basic definition and aspects of bibliography including types, descriptions, printing process, and scholarly importance of bibliographies. Part II discusses in detail 524 College & Research Libraries September 2013 the modern printing process, mainly from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The authors offer a historical context for modern printing and the beginnings of rare book collecting and librarianship. “Getting to Know Your Collections” (chapter 3) stresses the importance of knowing the provenance of rare books in a collection. “Identifying the history of ownership of books in a rare book col- lection (or any collection) can enrich the research value of important books and add significance to common books” (41). This chapter includes comprehensive informa- tion about provenance, why it is important, and the best ways to research provenance. Additionally, the authors mention the best ways to assess the value of rare books in a collection and describe the appraisal process associated with assessment. Chapter 4, titled “Caring for and Pre- serving Rare Books,” argues that the “most important skill that a rare book librarian needs to develop is the ability to handle books carefully” (51). This chapter pro- vides a detailed coverage of issues relating to handling rare books, including proper hygiene; how to remove a book from the shelf; the pros and cons of wearing gloves; transporting books; examining the binding and spine; opening the book and supporting it once opened; examining text block and leaves; temperature and rela- tive humidity; housing books (cloth ties, mylar, and such); means of identification and where to display call numbers; and conservation versus preservation. Addi- tionally, there is an interesting section in this chapter that discusses “stuff found in books” (73) such as specimens, letters, pho- tographs, hair, teeth, bones, dried plants, and a number of other items that often are not part of a rare book as it was issued. “Digitization” is the title of chapter 5, which describes the difficulties rare book librarians face when digitizing rare mate- rials. Digitization involves the necessary time to research and keep up with the ever- changing world of technology while also providing online access to rare materials. In the future, the authors predict that “digi- tal access will be an integral part of the day-to-day operation of special collections libraries” (79). A few topics highlighted in this chapter include best practices for digi- tization, using digital cameras in the read- ing room, providing publication-quality images, digitizing fragile materials, and the importance of digital access and preser- vation. The subsequent chapter presents a very short primer on security and disaster preparedness. The main focus is on how to prevent and handle theft when it happens as well as taking necessary steps to prepare for an emergency. The authors provide an overview of why it is important to priori- tize materials that need to be rescued in case a disaster strikes. Chapters 7 and 8 discuss the inter- related topics of collection development, accessioning, and cataloging. In chapter 7, the authors argue that collection develop- ment is perhaps one of the most important aspects of rare book librarianship. They state, “Sound conservation and preserva- tion programs may be essential to the enduring integrity of a rare book library, but if there are no collections then there are no books or manuscripts to preserve and secure” (103). This chapter discusses the importance of collection development policies in rare book libraries, suggests the best ways to seek funding to build a collec- tion’s strength, and covers issues relating to the rare book trade. Chapter 8 briefly discusses best practices when identifying and describing rare books. Additionally, the authors outline cataloging priorities and procedures, including how rare books are often part of larger archival collec- tions in which cataloging procedures are handled in a different manner. Index to advertisers AAAS 426 Amer. Psychological Assoc. 425 Amer. Public Health Assoc. cover 4 Bernan cover 2 Bowker/RCL 428 Choice Reviews Online 519 MIT Press Journals cover 3 Book Reviews 525 Chapter 9 focuses on the complexities of copyright law and less about how copy- right relates to rare books. Topics include public domain, fair use, unpublished works, orphan works, physical and intel- lectual property, and the general impor- tance of copyright. Chapter 10, “Outreach,” is divided into three parts: “Finding and Working with Your Local Communities,” “Reaching beyond Local Communities,” and “Exhibitions and Exhibition Loans.” Part 1 focuses on groups of people that rare book librarians should target to get them more interested and involved with rare book collections and libraries. Specifically, the authors outline various constituencies that rare book librarians should develop working relationships with such as faculty, students, local communities, friends of the library, donors, and the development office. Part 2 discusses ways in which rare book librarians can reach out to these various constituencies. The authors state, “[Y]ou are serving your users best when you are meeting their needs and meeting them where they are. They are online. And you need to be, too” (144). With this said, Galbraith and Smith state that some of the best online outlets to reach audiences include blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. The third part dis- cusses the importance of doing exhibits that feature rare books, and the policies and procedures recommended when loaning materials for exhibit at another institution. The last two chapters of the book focus on continuing education and reference resources. Chapter 11 discusses the impor- tance of a rare book librarian being both a librarian and a scholar. The authors provide lists of ALA-accredited library schools, rare book schools, societies and organizations, journals, and discussion lists—all of which can be helpful for a rare book librarian. Finally, chapter 12 provides bibliographies broken down into categories such as book terminology, book history, book illustra- tion, bookbinding, conservation and pres- ervation, and much more. This book provides a practical over- view of the basic functions of a rare book librarian and what skills and knowledge are necessary to be successful in the field. While the book advertises its coverage of digital technologies and how digitization relates to rare books, the section in which this is discussed is brief and covers only the basics of digitization. If one is looking for more in-depth discussion about digitiza- tion and how it relates to rare books, this handbook would not be the best resource to consult. This handbook is recommended for any rare book and special collections librarian, teachers and students in library science, or anyone charged with the care of rare books.—Katie Nash, Elon University. Past or Portal? Enhancing Undergraduate Learning through Special Collections and Archives. Eds. Eleanor Mitchell, Peggy Seiden, and Suzy Taraba. Chi- cago: American Library Association, 2012. 320p. $40.00 (ISBN 978-0-8389- 8610-3). LC 2012-6254. As a librarian (not to mention a curator), it is heartening to see the array of imagina- tive programs and initiatives developed in over forty institutions nationwide using special collections and archives to engage undergraduates with primary materials. Past or Portal? is not only an excellent progress report on what I view as a new energy in special collections librarianship in the wake of mass digitiza- tion, it is also an effective sourcebook for practitioners to use to develop program- matic ideas for their own collections. There are forty-seven chapters divided into four sections: “The Artifact,” which includes eleven case studies focused on objects and their contexts; “The Peda- gogy,” which contains eighteen chapters on innovative methods using primary materials; “The Program,” which pres- ents six case studies addressing broad, multidisciplinary approaches to teaching with special collections; and “The Work,” which contains twelve chapters “about programs where students are involved directly in the work of special collections as part of coursework, as student workers, or in internships” (xii–xiii).