The Asylum Special Issue: The Future of Numismatic Literature
By Maria Fanning, Editor

Since entering the world of numismatic literature I have heard various opinions on what its future might be-some very optimistic and otherswary of the direction it seems to be headed. Since becoming the editor of The Asylum I have had more discussions with passionate NBS membersand have asked several from various aspects of the field to share their thoughts on the future of numismatic literature for this special issue. Ihave attempted to include as many viewpoints as possible, asking collectors, researchers, librarians, authors and booksellers to share their opinionson where numismatic books fit into our changing world.

While digital media is growing at an ever-expanding rate, the value of artisan, hand-crafted and vintage objects also increases. Where does that leave collectors and students of history like us? Does the digital world eclipse artifacts from our past or does it help to enhance our understanding of history? Will open access to obscure information increase interest in numismatic books and catalogues or render them worthless?

The struggle is evident in the greater world as well, as laws defining copyright and piracy are debated and artists and podcasters create careers by giving their work away for free. Students have more access to information than ever through use of the internet in their classrooms while teachers place historical artifacts and original source material in their students' hands to forge a connection with the past.

My hope is that this issue will be a starting point for fine-tuning our approach to the new global environment and encouraging more open discussion of the advantages and dangers of the use of new technologies in collecting and researching. Of one thing I am certain-everyone who has an opinion about the future of numismatic literature cares very deeply about sustaining it and has made the preservation of history a priority in their hearts.

The Asylum Table of Contents
Special Issue: The Future of Numismatic Literature
Autumn 2016

NBS Symposium and Annual Meeting Report by Joel J. Orosz

Printed or Electronic Books: Each Holds Advantages for Research by David Hill

Lawrenceville or Louisville? by Joel J. Orosz

Future Boy Modernizes Numismatics by Wayne Homren

Thoughts on Writing a Print Media Book in a Digital World by Neil Musante

A Dying Profession? by Charles Davis

Slicing the Bibliophilic Landscape by Len Augsberger

The Economics of Numismatic Literature and Research by David F. Fanning

A Positive Future for Numismatic Literature by Elizabeth Hahn Benge

Aspects of Numismatic Literature Digitization by Dan Hamelberg

History in Your Hands Foundation: A new approach to teaching history by Shanna Berk Schmidt

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