Rare Books
The Bentley Rare Book Museum
Housed within the Department of Museums, Archives and Rare Books at Kennesaw State University, the Bentley Rare Book Museum serves as a University and community resource on the history and significance of the written and printed word.
The Bentley Rare Book Museum preserves and makes available a diverse collection of manuscripts, rare books, and fine press materials used in teaching and research. Through the development of course curriculum and assignments, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and community outreach, the Museum engages diverse audiences and provides educational experiences.
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Mission
The mission of the Bentley Rare Book Museum is to preserve and develop collections of rare, unique, and historic books and manuscripts in order to engage and educate the University and community in the history of the book. -
History
The Bentley Rare Book Museum collection is the result of the dedication and passion for books of two men: Mr. Robert B. Williams, Curator Emeritus of Rare Books, and Mr. Fred D. Bentley, Sr., a Cobb County lawyer and avid book collector. In the late 1980s, Mr. Bentley donated a large number of nineteenth and early twentieth century first editions as the foundation of the Museum collection. Since that initial donation, the collection has grown and developed, evolving into an assemblage of manuscripts and books representing the history of the book with a focus on the English-speaking world. Learn more about the origins of the Bentley Rare Book Museum in a virtual tour.
Today, the Museum holds over 10,000 items, ranging from Sumerian clay tablets and medieval manuscript leaves to modern fine press books and literary first editions. The collection supports teaching at the university through incorporation into course instruction sessions and class assignments, as well as lectures, workshops, and exhibitions. In addition, we welcome individual researchers from Kennesaw State University and the broader community.
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Policies
In order to protect the rare materials housed in the Bentley Rare Book Museum for future generations of students and scholars, there are special rules for the use of collection items both in the museum and in all research spaces.
- Items are to be used in the Bentley Rare Book Museum or the offices of the Department of Museums, Archives & Rare Books only.
- Patrons will be supervised by department staff at all times.
- No food or beverages (including water) are allowed in the Bentley Rare Book Museum or anywhere else where rare materials are used.
- Only pencils are allowed in the Bentley Rare Book Museum or while using rare materials. No pens or ink are permitted.
- Patrons will be asked to leave their belongings and coats or other outerwear outside while visiting the Bentley Rare Book Museum or using rare materials.
- Photography of the room or of items is only allowed with the permission of the curator. Flash photography is prohibited at all times.
- Please silence cellphones during presentations in the Bentley Rare Book Museum.
- Patrons are allowed to turn the pages of the books carefully. If a patron wishes to
examine the binding of the book or needs the book to be re-positioned on the cradle,
they should ask the Museum staff for assistance.
