Cullingford’s updated special collections handbook

CHICAGO — The new third edition of “The Special Collections Handbook,” published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, has been revised and updated to reflect the growth and complexity of the environment in which special collections operate. It remains an essential resource for staff working with special collections in a wide range of settings, including academia, public libraries, and museums. Author Alison Cullingford thoroughly covers the essential principles, skills, and knowledge to manage special collections in any setting. Key topics covered include preservation, developing collections, understanding objects, emergency planning and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, security, legal and ethical concerns, cataloging, digitization, marketing, outreach, teaching, impact, advocacy, and fundraising.

Cullingford is Head of Library and Collections at Durham Cathedral, where she leads the team responsible for stewardship of the Cathedral’s collections of medieval manuscripts, early printed books, archives, and objects. Previously she was Special Collections Librarian at the University of Bradford, where she was responsible for over 100 collections of modern archives and rare books and also managed the Unique and Distinctive Collections project for Research Libraries UK. An active member of the CILIP Rare Books and Special Collections Group and many other sector groups, she regularly presents at conferences, and blogs and tweets on the importance of the special collections librarian.

Facet Publishing, the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, is the leading publisher of books for library and information professionals worldwide. Many book retailers and distributors are experiencing service disruptions or delays, including Amazon. For speediest service, order direct from the ALA Store. ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman at [email protected].