Trash or Treasure? To Fix or Not to Fix? Topics for “Tough Love” in Collection Development Chad Leinaweaver Special Collections Division Newark Public Library 2008 NJLA Conference History and Preservation Section

Trash or Treasure? What should be saved? What treasures might you have? What should you look out for? This presentation, given at the 2008 NJLA Conference examined what types of materials may be within existing library collections that would be worth considering a move to a local history or special collections area. Over time, many items may gain a measure of notoriety, monetary worth or research value and it is the responsibility of librarians not only to provide access to these unique resources but also see that they are properly preserved.

Trash or Treasure? Several web sites can provide a little help (though are not exhaustive) in evaluating collection material:

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: Books published prior to the 1860s are often important to evaluate. Though not every “old” book is worthy, they are easy to spot.

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: Books with gold labeling on covers or gilding on spine; fine bindings and ornate covers may have fetched a high price when they were printed and may also in the present. Regardless, books with these elements are worthy of consideration to preserve those characteristics.

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: Books with fine engravings and etchings often have value simply for the graphic art work.

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: Books with slipcases often are a clue that the book is something special.

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: Books with marbleized endpapers as well are a clue.

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: Art books such as catalog raisonnés of an artist or major publications can be of limited print run, have special editions or have research/monetary value.

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: Some art publications may include original prints by the artists.

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: Portfolios with a fine box and individually printed items are also special items.

Trash or Treasure? What materials to consider acquiring or that may reside within your own stacks: This is an example of the inside of the previous slide’s portfolio.