DISCUSSION ISSUE IN THE LITHUANIAN BOOK SCIENCE TERMINOLOGY: ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF RARE BOOK

Abstract

Based on the works by various Lithuanian and foreign authors, the article deals with the concept of “rare book” and its functioning in book science, practical librarianship and bibliophily. The relation of this concept with book science concepts such as “valuable book”, “book monument” and “old book“ is discussed. The conclusion is that there is a difference between rarity and scarcity (rare book and scarce book) in practical librarianship and bibliophily and in the theoretical sphere of book science. The importance of the historical and cultural context in defining the scarcity and rarity of a book is stressed. The concept of “rare book” is not documented in the Lithuanian standards of terminology, so it must be discussed more carefully.