Overview

Welcome to the official website of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). RBMS strives to represent and promote the interests of librarians who work with rare books, manuscripts, and other types of special collections. If you happened on our website because you are interested in finding out more about your old books, please refer to our guide titled "Your Old Books" for some basic information and references. If you are a new member of RBMS or are interested in becoming one, please refer to our membership information page.

News & Events

• PowerPoint presentations from the ALA 2008 RBMS Program “Action! Setting Preservation Priorities and Ensuring Access to Your Moving Image Collections” [posted 8/06/08]
• Library and Archival Security Resources Directory released [posted 7/14/08]
• ACRL Guidelines: Competencies for Special Collections Professionals - Approved by ACRL 7/1/2008 [posted 7/9/2008]
• ALA election results are in! Click here see all ACRL divisional results and here to see general ALA election results. Congratulations to Deborah Leslie (Folger Shakespeare Library) on her election as RBMS vice-chair/chair-elect and Fernando Pena (Grolier Club) on his election as member-at-large to the RBMS Executive Committee. [posted 5/10/2008]
• 2008 Annual Meeting Schedule [posted 3/27/08; updated with meeting room locations 4/21/2008]
• 49th RBMS Preconference - Press Release [posted 2/25/08]