Master of Science in Library and Information Science/Rare Books and Special Collections

The Palmer School offers a concentration in Rare Books and Special Collections as part of the American Library Association-accredited MSLIS in Library and Information Science program. The program is designed for students intending to pursue careers in research institutions and the book trade and for those collectors and scholars interested in this material. Students develop proficiency in rare book curatorship, archival techniques, the history of the book, rare book cataloging, preservation, and exhibition planning. They become acquainted with major collections through field trips and internships, and will have opportunities to meet experts in this area. The program will make extensive use of the rich Rare Books and Special Collections libraries in the greater New York area. Specialized courses in book history are offered and courses relevant to this concentration may also be selected from the Palmer School’s certificate of advanced study in Archives and Records Management. All courses will be available in Manhattan at NYU’s Bobst Library, although students may take core courses and some electives at other Palmer School locations.