The Augustan Society, Inc., maintains and operates a '''Library''' on the subjects of Chivalry, Genealogy, Heraldry, History, and Royalty & Nobility. Other topics covered include maps, numismatics, philatelics, and material used for staff support such as style manuals.
The department is headed by the Library Committee Chairman, who is styled [[Librarian]]. He is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the [[President]] (unless this title is included in the [[Contract|Consuls' Contract]].
The work of the Library is conducted by a loosely organized group called the Library Committee, though it does not function as a conventional committee with meetings, minutes, etc. The activities include:
* Mail Loans to members only (presently suspended by Board policy)
* Inter-Library Loans
* Managing the [[Collection Development Grant]]
* Repair and rebinding, including the conversion of digital materials to new media
* Deaccessions; weeding obsolete, duplicate, or unsuitable material from the collection
:Note: Disposition of withdrawn items is handled by [[the Sales]]Manager along with back issues and the like.
==Location==
The physical location of the Library is at Unit 955, ExtraSpace Storage, 13125 S John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32837, United States. The stacks with cataloged books are in Unit 986. Uncataloged material is in Unit 961. Some materials in process are at [[Headquarters]], but plans are to relocate this material as time permits.
==Accessions==
:* No promise to retain any donation can be made; all retention decisions are subject to periodic review by the Library Committee.
* Expected donations:
:# Robert Cleve, former Chairman of the Society, has willed his collection on Roman History to the Society. As he is no longer a member, this may be some challenge to receive.
:# Marta Metcalf, FAS, may offer her genealogical collection as a long-term loan as long as the Library is open to the public, the loan converting to a gift if the Library is still in operation at her death. This will likely be delayed until all other genealogical material has been cataloged.
==[[Collection Development Grant]]==
A grant has been received from an anonymous member to supplement the accessions budget under certain circumstances. This will require some small amount of accounting, most of which will be undertaken by the Library, in consultation with the [[Assistant Treasurer]].
Books received through this grant will be cataloged and otherwise treated as usual, with no special marking or catalog notation required.
==[[Cataloging]]==
# Books for which cataloging data can be obtained from public sources (such as Library of Congress)
# Bound periodicals for which cataloging data can be obtained from public sources
# Other periodicals for which cataloging data can be obtained from public sources*
# Books which require original cataloging
# Bound periodicals which require original cataloging
# Other periodicals which require original cataloging*
# Maps and charts (pending the relocation of the map cabinets to a more accessible location)
# Photographs (pending their being processed by the [[Photograph Collection Study Group]])
# Ephemera
<nowiki>*</nowiki> These categories will be delayed until funds are available for shelf boxes. The public web page on this topic is [httphttps://www.augustansociety.org/cpageindex.phpcfm?ptfuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=1502&nodeID=67 1 here].
==[[Classification System]]==
==Spine Labels==
Spine labels will not be created until the collection has been cataloged, as the cataloging process may drive changes in the classification system and especially Cutter numbers. The data to be printed on the labels, and the use of them on rare or valuable volumes, is yet to be determined.
Technology may suggest that we want to supplement the printed information on the labels with a barcode, either in black & white or using UV ink. This will depend on available and affordable technology at time time of label creation.
The pressure to weed the collection will come from three sources: Academic cleansing, shelving space, and revenue from sales. Only the last of these is likely to be a strong motivator in the immediate future.
* <ul><li>Categorical nominations — There are some categories which warrant consideration as a whole. These might include Anthropology and VHS videotapes, as a start.</li>* <li>Individual nominations — Books will suggest themselves of their own accord, either for being off-topic or unworthy of scholarly consideration.</li>* <li>Decision process — At present, Library Staff are acting as a Deaccession Committee, but such a committee may be commissioned later. The membership at large may serve on this committee by objecting to the sale of items advertised by the [[Used Book Sales]] flyers.</li> <li>Items cited in articles published should be retained, despite the above considerations. Those of exceptionally low academic credibility should have a disclaimer card shelved with the item.</li></ul>
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