A.M. Todd Rare Book Room Collection Development Policy

The A. M. Todd Rare Book Room of the Kalamazoo College Library houses rare and unusual books and related materials in a variety of subject areas. The room is located on the third floor of the Upjohn Library Commons. The great majority of the materials have been received as gifts from friends of the College. Many were in the collection assembled by Albert May Todd (1850- 1931) and have come to the College from members of his family. Exhibits of materials drawn from the collection are available for viewing on a regular basis as posted. Small group and class visits can be scheduled. Researchers wishing to make use of the collection must make arrangements in advance with the library staff. Materials in the A. M. Todd Room collection must be used in the room under staff supervision.

The Rare Book Room Curator decides whether to accept offers of donations to the Rare Book Collection, in accordance with the gifts policy. Materials to support and enhance the Rare Book Collection are purchased occasionally by the Collection Services Librarian or the Rare Book Room Curator.

Decisions about removing items from the Rare Book Collection are made by the Rare Book Room Curator.

Decisions about rarity and special significance vary between institutions. Categories of materials of particular interest to the A.M. Todd Rare Book Room collections include, but are not limited to:

  • Materials relevant to the current Kalamazoo College curriculum
  • Special presses of particular interest, e.g., Kelmscott Press, Arion Press
  • Fine bindings
  • Incunables
  • Fine ornithological publications, especially those by John Gould and John J. Audubon
  • Works with the A.M. Todd bookplate
  • Items of exceptional market value
  • Items considered rare because of date and place of publication
  • Special attributes, e.g., signed limited edition, special illustrator, etc.

Bibliographic records for materials in the A.M. Todd Rare Book Room appear in the Library’s online catalog and are classified according to the library of Congress classification scheme. The collection currently is overseen by the Rare Book Room Curator.

A portion of the College’s art collection is housed in the A.M. Todd Rare Book Room.

This Collection Development Policy will be reviewed by the Collection Services Librarian and the Rare Book Room Coordinator annually.

Last reviewed June 8, 2022