The University of Texas Libraries maintains two collections for rare materials, one in the Center for American History and one in the Benson Latin American Collection. Additionally, the Humanities Research Center functions as a repository for certain types of materials originally acquired by The University of Texas Libraries. Finally, a secure area (Main-Z) is maintained for the University of Texas Libraries materials which, though not necessarily rare, may be scarce, extremely valuable or vulnerable, or which may for other reasons require special protection.
Branches also may maintain small, secure areas for such materials. Occasionally, materials which may be defined as rare are retained in Main-Z because of their reference value to the general collection and a working copy is desired for Main. Rare or potentially rare materials are located in the Center for American History and the Benson Latin American Collection primarily on the basis of subject matter, as detailed in the Collection Development Policy. Similarly, rare or potentially rare materials known to be appropriate to special subject collections in the Humanities Research Center may be offered to the Center. Lacking subject emphasis suitable for these special collections imprint alone may form the basis for location in Barker, Benson or the Humanities Research Center.
The location for new materials requiring special protection is designated by the appropriate bibliographer, considering criteria in the Collection Development Policy and in this policy. However, catalogers will also identify miniature books, limited editions and volumes or portfolios containing unbound plates for appropriate special protection locations. Barker and Benson bibliographers assign specific rare designations (e.g. TXC-Z or LAC-ZZ) within their own collections, and branch bibliographers determine which materials will be maintained in secure areas of their own collections.
In addition to library users, University of Texas Libraries staff of the Humanities Research Center staff may identify potential transfers from branches, the general stacks, or Main-Z to Main-Z, Barker, Benson or the Humanities Research Center. This is accomplished by means of a Transfer Request Form (or special arrangements for bulk transfers). which is reviewed and approved by appropriate bibliographers for both collections and by the Associate Director for Research Services. When approving the transfer of materials out of a collection, bibliographers consider whether replacement with a different hard copy edition of microform is appropriate. The three following lists address categories of materials requiring special protection and their locations.
List 1: Rare Materials
| Alabama 1840 | Kansas 1875 | Oregon 1875 |
| Alaska 1912 | Kentucky 1830 | South Dakota 1890 |
| Arizona 1890 | Louisiana 1820 | South Carolina 1820 |
| Arkansas 1870 | Mississippi 1840 | Tennessee 1840 |
| California (San Francisco) 1875 | Minnesota 1865 | Texas 1860 |
| Colorado 1876 | Missouri 1850 | Utah 1890 |
| Florida 1860 | Montana 1890 | Virginia 1820 |
| Georgia 1820 | Nebraska 1875 | Washington 1875 |
| Hawaii 1860 | Nevada 1890 | New Mexico 1875 |
| Idaho 1890 | North Dakota 1890 | North Carolina 1820 |
| Iowa 1860 | Oklahoma 1870 | Wyoming 1890 |
| Connecticut 1820 | Maine 1820 | Ohio 1840 |
| Delaware 1820 | Maryland 1820 | Pennsylvania 1830 |
| District of of Columbia 1830 | Massachusetts 1820 | (Philadelphia) 1820 |
| Michigan 1850 | Rhode Island 1820 | Illinois 1850 |
| New Hampshire 1820 | Vermont 1820 | (Chicago) 1871 |
| New Jersey 1820 | West Virginia 1830 | Indiana 1850 |
| New York 1850 | Wisconsin 1850 | (N. Y. City) 1820 |
List 3: Materials Requiring Special Protection
Materials in this category are generally not rare but should be located in a secure area. Subject bibliographers review any recommendations for relocation, with relocations to Main-Z requiring a Transfer Request Form.
"Transfer" as used here refers to relocation to a secure area. However, it does not necessarily imply total revision of all bibliographic records. The method to be used for indication changes on bibliographic records for such materials is not addressed in this policy
When such illustrations are found in a serial volume in Main, that specific volume can be charged to HRC - P; however the title will not be transferred in its entirety.
Based on Historical Records Survey, American Imprints Inventory; A manual of Procedure. 1938
