SPECIAL COLLECTION MANAGEMENT: THE PLACE OF PRINTED EPHEMERA

Special collections, because of their very nature, need special consideration by library management. Discusses one part of special collection management which needs particular consideration, namely printed ephemera. This will perhaps be the greatest problem for local studies departments of public libraries; special libraries, because of their identification with their parent body, and its aims and objectives, do not have quite the same problems. However, all libraries concerned with acquiring printed ephemera need to consider certain aspects of the management of this material. Outlines some of these problems and issues, and briefly suggests possible courses of action which can be taken, based on current research into developing a collection policy for printed Welsh ephemera, carried out at the Department of Information and Library Studies at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth in conjunction with the National Library of Wales.