RBMS Manual / Organization / Mission
The mission of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is to exercise leadership in the local, national, and international special collections communities in order to represent and promote the interests of librarians, curators, and other specialists concerned with the acquisitions, organization, security, preservation, administration, and use of special collections, including rare printed books, manuscripts, archives, and graphics, music, and ephemeral materials; to enhance the capability of special collections libraries to serve the needs of users. In pursuit of its mission, RBMS works to:
- Define, develop, and promulgate standards and guidelines
- Initiate and encourage programs for professional education and development
- Enhance the capability of special collections libraries to serve the needs of users
- Promote study, research, and publication relevant to special collections librarianship
- Provide members with means of communication through publications, programs, and meetings
[Source: Executive Committee minutes, June 1989. An editorial revision, "RBMS Newsletter and other" dropped from the last sentence, was approved by the RBMS Executive Committee 24 June 1990]