ABSTRACT
Special collections of rare books and manuscripts are visited by scholars, researchers, and other interested parties who can pass the scrutiny of the staff. The question of closed stacks is one that arouses partisan views both pro and con; sometimes one view prevails, sometimes the other. The thoughts of Joseph Green Cogswell as to why he was delighted that the Astor Library was a closed corporation is interesting: “It would have crazed to have seen a crowd ranging lawlessly among the books and throwing everything into confusion.” Occasional suggestions are made to the effect that posting a fee, as in the old subscription libraries, is an idea that ought to be revived. The library community must follow the lead of the art community in creating a strong security posture.
