The latest catalogue of librarianship books from Ashgate features a couple which should be of particular interest for special collections:
Smith, C and Stead, L. (eds). The boundaries of the literary archive. August 2013. Includes contributions by archivists about practical issues in literary archives, such as confidentiality and use in teaching and marketing. The case studies look great – archives of Elizabeth Gaskell, John Galsworthy, Ted Hughes etc.
Matthews, G. and Walton, G. (eds). University libraries and space in the digital world. January 2013. Physical space is critical for special collections work – both for preserving physical collections and delivering services. This book should offer a useful overview of the fast-changing wider context of the use of university library space – new ways of learning, the sustainability agenda etc. I’m pleased that there is a chapter on the space needs of library staff, for work and break, which are often neglected – particularly I think in special collections and archives.
More on these when I have actually read them!
The Special Collections Handbook 