Rare Book Collection Development and Transfer Criteria

The Rare Book Collection of the Marshall University Special Collections includes
printed materials and manuscripts related to the research interests and educational
programs of the University. Some materials are included because of their value,
rarity, or physical condition and features.
In accordance with the Special Collections Development Policy, materials
in the Rare Books Collection should fall within the scope of the overall
collection. According to Procedure No. ITP-21, those interests include:
1. Subject Areas: Western Virginia (prior to 1863), Cabell County WV and the
Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia Tri-State Area history and culture; Appalachian
history and culture; Marshall University history and culture; the American Civil
War with principal interest in the Confederacy, including the ante-bellum
period and Reconstruction.
2. Format of Materials (related to the Subject Areas above): Primarily textual
holographic
materials (manuscripts, diaries, correspondence), and ephemera; unique
monographic
material as well as rare or out-of-print materials; photographic images with
subjects
identified; maps and cartographic materials; architectural drawings.
3. Geographic and Chronological Boundaries. Emphasis on the geographic
areas of Appalachia, Western Virginia, Cabell County WV and the Kentucky,
Ohio, West Virginia Tri-State Area, and primarily Huntington and the Marshall
University campuses. No chronological limits on materials. (2.1)

Evaluating Rarity:
1. Local or archival interest
2. Age -- Publication Date
a. All books printed before 1701
b. All books printed in the U.S. before 1860
3. Scarcity
a. Limited copies 25 or fewer at other institutions
b. Market rarity
c. Limited editions 500 or fewer copies
4. Publishing & Bibliographic History
a. First editions and first printings of significant titles or central works

5. Physical traits:
a. The ACRLs Guidelines on the Selection and Transfer of Materials from
General Collections to Special Collections lists the following physical
traits for consideration:
i. Decorated end papers, unbound plates, vellum or publishers
binding, and book jackets
ii. Fine press editions
1. Kelmscott Press
2. Subterranean Press
3. Easton Press
4. Franklin Library
5. Gollancz
6. Nonesuch
iii. Valuable maps, original art, original photographs, or plates
especially plates with hand-applied or lithographed color either
as issued or as part of extra-illustrated volumes
iv. Books with moveable parts, pop-up books, books having nonstandard sizes or shapes
6. Association & Inscribed Copies
a. Books signed by the author
b. Books that may be of little intrinsic value but that have belonged to
famous people
c. Annotated works, especially if the annotator is known
7. Price market value
This criteria can be used to assess current materials in the Rare Book Room or the
transfer of materials out of the Stacks and into the Rare Book Room.