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Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction / M. Patrick Graham -- That the good books may be preserved / Armin Siedlecki -- Reading the materiality of a collection : the German Reformation at the Folger Shakespeare Library / Caroline Duroselle-Melish -- An enlightened ministry : reconstructing and exploring the library of Convers Francis / Nell K. Carlson, Russell Pollard -- Hogwarts in Minnesota : the history, description, and impact of special collections at Luther Seminary / Bruce Eldevik, Mary Ann Teske -- Gifts of great libraries : teaching with special collections at the Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary / Matthew Baker -- Teaching and learning with special collections and archives : introducing religious and theological primary sources into the classroom / Christopher J. Anderson -- "Let your eyes look forward" : developing a digital repository from the ground up / Jonathan Lawler, Shea Van Schuyver -- Shipping container librarianship : creating comprehensive research collections in theological libraries / Stephen D. Crocco -- Engaging the alumnus/a donor : a case study based on Drew University's R. S. Thomas Collection / Jesse D. Mann, Brian Shetler -- The millennium project : nature, environment, and time in the future of special collections : considering the case of Bridwell Library / Anthony J. Elia.

Special collections of religious and theological materials have been part of the landscape of academic libraries in North America from their beginnings. This collection of ten articles treats several aspects of this rich history in three sections: the first deals with the history of specific collections at four libraries; the second treats current attempts to use special collections in teaching and the outreach mission of the library, including the development and use of digital technologies; and the third explores topics related to building library collections for the future, noting both pitfalls to be avoided and intriguing opportunities.