Wilde, Oscar. Poems. London: Elkin Matthews & John Lane, 1892. (99/220 copies). Signed by the author.

Rare Books and Special collections: a concentration within the MSLIS program

New York City is an acknowledged center of rare book and special collections activity located in public and institutional collections, clubs, auction houses, and universities. The Palmer School concentration introduced students to this wealth of resources and incorporates into its formal program ample opportunity for contact with the city's bibliophilic community.

The entire Rare Books and Special Collections concentration is offered in Manhattan at Long Island University facilities in NYU's Bobst Library. If students find it more convenient, they may take the core requirement at the Palmer School on Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus in Brookville, or at the University's Brentwood or Westchester Graduate campuses.

Through a unique arrangement with the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, under the direction of Terry Belanger, Palmer School students may take selected RBS courses for credit in their MSLIS program.

Careers
Rare books and special collections are enjoying new popularity as part of the recently developed interest in the history of the book among universities, historical societies, and museums. Both scholarly and popular communities are currently interested in special collections which might include film, posters, photographs, correspondence, architectural plans, designs, and printed emphemera. Specialists work as curators, researchers, dealers, exhibition planners, scholars, and administrators of collections.

Curriculum
Students will develop proficiency in rare book curatorship, archival techniques, the history of the book, rare book cataloging, preservation, and exhibition planning. They will become acquainted with major collections through field trips and internships, and will have opportunity to meet experts in this area.

In addition to the regular course schedule, specialized courses will be offered as Special Topics. Included as Special Topics are scheduled visits to great collections, the history of various aspects of "the book," and an introduction to the book trade and auction world. Other Special Topics can be arranged in response to students' needs and interests.

A student will be expected to complete four pertinent elective courses from the list below to complete this concentration. These electives must include LIS 713-Rare Books and Special Collections Librarianship, and a course in the history of the book.

• LIS 603 Humanities Sources and Services
• LIS 657 Introduction to Preservation
• LIS 662 Library Public Relations
• LIS 713 Rare Book Librarianship
• LIS 714 Archives and Manuscripts
• LIS 763 Metadata: Description and Access
• LIS 773 Comparative Bibliography
• LIS 901 Special Topics

Upon graduation, students who complete these requirements may receive a letter from the Dean and Coordinator of the concentration acknowledging their achievement; this letter should be requested from the Coordinator, Deirdre C. Stam.

(Students may also take up to two courses in the University of Virginia's Rare Book School at either the University of Virginia or its Manhattan location as part of this concentration. This option must be approved by the Palmer School before the student enrolls in the RBS program.)

Students interested in this concentration should contact Deirdre C. Stam before beginning their specialized courses in this area. Dr. Stam, who oversees the Rare Book and Special Collections concentration, will review with students their goals and backgrounds, and will work with them to identify a set of courses that will meet their objectives.