As their vitæ show, PRB&M's principals are both scholars — onetime academics and sophisticated, active library users — and David's experience actually working in rare book libraries has been considerable. Much of our business is done with libraries, and we make a point of being especially well attuned to librarians' needs. For example:

    We save you pointless searches by pre-searching your holdings, via NUC, RLIN, ESTC, published censuses, etc., and/or direct telnet to your catalogue, before offering you books by individual "quote."
    You can reserve and order from us by e-mail. You can also request lists not available on the Web, or update your mailing list record, by clicking here.
    We can either ship promptly or hold items for purchase orders, as you direct.
    We can usually bill you as your budget requires — we even do it graciously, mostly.
    We have performed numerous, and major, appraisals for our institutions' insurance, gift tax, and other purposes. No appraisal of ours has ever been overturned.
    We are experienced in helping libraries undergoing collection analyses or struggling with deaccessioning. Indeed, David has addressed a special session on the latter subject at the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section preconference of the American Library Association (copies of his remarks are available upon request).
    We are happy to "consult free" (within reason) by phone or e-mail.

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