Editor’s Note

Abstract

This issue of RBML focuses on theoretical and practical aspects of collection development activities in special collections. Taken together, the articles suggest that a reevaluation of accepted terminology and standard procedures for the identification and acquisition of rare books and manuscripts may be in order. William Matheson’s essay presents a definition of comprehensive collecting for the field of twentieth-century authors that is substantially broader than the one used by most respondents to a question on this subject. Mr. Matheson offers a compelling case for cooperation among institutions in building collections of printed material, along the same lines that have been long . . .