Rare Books collecting plan

This plan outlines the specific strengths and current collecting priorities for the Rare Book Collection held by Auckland Council Libraries.

About the collection

History and formation

The foundation of the Rare Book Collection is the library gifted by Sir George Grey to the people of Auckland in 1882. This formed the catalyst for other donations, such as those of Henry and Fred Shaw in the early 20th century, Frank Reed in 1953 and many others. Donors are still an important source of new titles. The Library has also continued to add to the collection by purchase and transfer from the general collections.

Subject coverage

The collection includes works from all periods of book history ranging from the 12th century to the present day. This includes the Medieval, Renaissance and Eastern manuscripts donated by Sir George Grey and Henry Shaw, a strong collection of European books dating from the invention of printing onwards, and examples of book illustration and fine printing including book design and production. A substantial stack collection reflects the 20th century reading interests of Aucklanders.

Geographic coverage

The ongoing geographic focus of the collection is world-wide, with a strong New Zealand component and representation of the Pacific and Antarctic. This differs from the Auckland and New Zealand focus of most other formats within Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, as well as that of other heritage and special collections within New Zealand who also focus primarily on local and national material.

Our aim is to develop a Rare Book collection that reflects the global heritage of all Aucklanders, many of whom have strong cultural connections to places outside Aotearoa.

Format and extent

Within Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections the term “rare books” is used expansively, and refers to all printed books in the collection. This forms the basis of how we care for items in our collection in terms of preservation, access and interpretation. It also provides a definition that values books based on a variety of aspects, whether that be age, scarcity, cultural or historical significance, monetary value or quality of production.

Strengths of the collection

The Rare Books collection is strong in the following areas:

• A collection of 44 unique Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, both religious and secular. Mostly in Latin but including Greek, Czech, French and Italian language manuscripts. Also 20 manuscripts in the eastern calligraphic tradition from the 16th to the 19th century in Ethiopic, Arabic and Persian languages.
• A pre-1800 collection of over 2,500 books from the invention of printing in the mid 15th century to 1800. This includes over 100 books printed before 1500 (incunabula). Areas of strength include Latin and English bibles and theology, works of European and English literature, histories, travel books, natural history and science books.
• A post-1800 collection of around 28,000 books from the 19th to the 21st century. This collection is strong in literary first editions, art and design, voyages and travel, natural history and science, and bibles in various languages. The early history of Australia and the exploration of Antarctica are also represented along with examples of printing and publishing history.
• The Illustrated collection includes around 700 volumes from the 19th century onwards which feature examples of illustrative techniques as well as works by well-known artists and illustrators.
• A Private Press collection which includes around 1,300 books made in the tradition of the Private Press movement. These are usually printed by hand, in limited editions and using the best quality materials. Works by New Zealand presses and printers are included as well as American, British and Australian private press and book artists.
• A Children’s Historical collection of around 8,500 books, including a portion published before 1900. This collection contains both international and New Zealand works, largely written in the English language, and supports research into the development of children’s literature, including different styles of printing and illustration.
• A Stack collection including around 33,000 books that was formed in 2012 as part of the rationalisation of the general collections in the Central Library’s basement. This collection includes both New Zealand and international publications, including fiction.

Current collecting priorities

Current collecting is prioritised. The aim is to build on existing collection strengths, fill gaps in collections, and respond to the changing needs of researchers now and in the future.

Proactive priorities

Music

Music has been identified as a subject gap in 1600-1900 period. While music is a subject and format strength of the heritage collections overall, representation in the pre-20th century rare book collection is limited. Collecting in this area will include works significant to the history of music theory and movements, books that record the cultural heritage of music and song, and representative examples of the development and history of printing as it relates to musical notation. Selection will be undertaken in collaboration with the Associate Curator Music.

20th century literature

Fiction has been identified as a gap in the 20th century period. The post-1800 collection is strong in literary first editions overall, containing significant works such as Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass and Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, but lacks representation in the 20th century and the post-war years in particular.

Collecting in this area includes novels, poetry and works of short fiction that have demonstrated enduring popular interest and / or significant cultural impact at time of publication. Collecting will be selective and aim to include authors from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, social perspectives and literary genres. Attention is also paid to the history of Auckland Libraries as a public institution with a long-standing interest in supporting the recreational reading of Aucklanders, and a current focus on lifelong learning and reading for pleasure.

Pasifika rare books

New books about the history and cultural heritage of Pacific island nations are a current priority. Collecting in this area includes recently published titles which have content and / or production values which merit the acquisition of a preservation copy – i.e. one that is free of stickers, barcodes and adhesive coverings. Acquiring a preservation copy ensures that the value of these books as cultural artefacts is maximised for the future. Works acquired on this basis may be historical surveys, have small print runs, document a specific art form or practice, or be heavily illustrated. Selection will be undertaken in collaboration with the Curator Pacific.

Private Press

The Private Press collection is a valuable resource for New Zealand based hand printers, binders and book artists. The collecting priority for this area will involve a review of recently published works by book artists and presses already represented within the collection, with the aim of filling any gaps.

Illustrated photobooks

A photobook is a book where the content primarily consists of photographs. Collecting in this area will focus on books recently published in Aotearoa by small independent presses. Collecting will be highly selective and focus on examples that have high production values and demonstrate current publishing practice using the book as a format, avoiding works that are solely of interest for their artistic or documentary heritage content.

Ongoing priorities

Acquisitions in these areas build on our existing collection strengths. We will continue to collect in the following areas as opportunities arise:

• Rare books printed before 1800.
  
• Books featuring examples of illustrative techniques such as engraving, etching, hand-colouring, aquatint and lithography.
  
• Children’s literature published before 1900.
  
• Accounts of voyages and travel, particularly in Central and South-East Asia, the Middle-East and Africa.

Selectively collected items

These areas are well-represented in the collection and acquisitions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

• 19th century fern books and albums – acquire only if the album has specific content, provenance or other factors to distinguish it from other holdings.
• Pop-up books – these tend to be large print runs of children’s classics. We will acquire these if a title is under-represented or a gap in the collection, or as selective examples of innovative paper engineering and high production values.
• Children’s literature published after 1900. The Children’s Historical Collection requires a review to identify its strengths and gaps relative to other collections held in Aotearoa New Zealand. Until this is completed acquisition will be selective.
• 19th century literature, including novels and poetry. We will acquire in this area only if titles or authors fill a particular gap, or if the work exemplifies a form of printing or publishing that is lacking in the collection.

Stop collecting

These are areas in which we may have previously collected, but are no longer collecting:

• Facsimile editions – in general these are not collected.
• Subject areas covered by another library collection – e.g. New Zealand fiction titles are an ongoing priority for Research Centre collections, books relating to bibliographic research or reference are acquired for the Reading Room reference collection.

Exclusions

We do not collect in the following areas:

Subject exclusions

• War and military history – this is a subject area in which the Auckland War Memorial Museum specialises. Exceptions might be made on the basis of provenance or strong connection within the existing collection.
• Art history, art movements and specific artists – this is a subject area in which the EH McCormick Art Gallery Research Library specialises. Our collection is limited to a focus on book arts, illustration and illustration techniques, as well as books that illustrate pattern, decoration and design as a subject area.

Format exclusions

• Artist’s books – these are often unique, sole-copy editions that can primarily be described as works of art and are intended to be viewed as such. They often utilise the form of the book or are inspired by books rather than being designed to be used as books. Exceptions may be made for items transferred from other parts of the Library.
• eBooks – these are not collected.
• Children’s books with electronic devices or batteries are excluded for preservation reasons. Some pop-up books with batteries have been retained where the batteries have been removed.

Related collecting areas

• Books published in New Zealand or about New Zealand are are acquired in consultation with the Curator Auckland.
• Books containing musical notation or songs are acquired in consultation with the Associate Curator Music. See the Collecting plan for the Music Collection.
• Books relating to the Pacific are acquired in consultation with the Curator Pacific.

Closed collections

The following named collections are closed and new material will not be added:

• Stacpoole Powell Collection.
  
• John Stacpoole Irish Collection.
  
• Reed Dumas Collection.
  
• Quaker Historical collection.
  
• Donal Smith Collection.
  
• Grey New Zealand Collection.
  

The Mackelvie Collection has capacity for further donations by the Mackelvie Trust. The last addition was made in 2014.

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