LIS 613: Rare Book Librarianship
Fall 2014: August – December, Monday, 5:00-7:40 PM
Moir Reading Room, Hamilton Library Addition
“… a roaming voyage through the words of others, and
a search for a language that can rescue their relevance.”
Arlette Farge, The Allure of the Archive, p.123
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Lynn Ann Davis
Hamilton Library, Preservation Department, Room 552
By appointment
Office phone:
956-8539
E-mail:
ldavis@hawaii.edu
Course Description: Rare book librarianship is an object-based discipline and relies upon
keen observational skills, as well as historical knowledge. By carefully examining physical aspects
of a book (paper, typography-printer, illustration, binding, provenance, etc.) you can understand aspects
of its history in addition to the text. The UHM Library’s Rare Book collection will be the primary
class resource for examining aspects of the printed book in the West from the 15th century
through the 20th century. The fundamentals of defining and developing rare book collection
policy will be considered as well as creating a place for rare book collections in today’s
landscape of knowledge and information literacy.
LIS Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) for Rare Book Librarianship:
SLO 1: Understand, apply and articulate the history, philosophy, principles and ethics
of library and information science and the related professions.
1c) Develop and apply critical thinking skills in preparation for professional
practice
1d) Craft and articulate a professional identity
SLO 2: Develop, administrate, assess, and advocate for information services by
exercising principled communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
2a) Demonstrate understanding of leadership
2c) Develop, manage, and assess information services for specific users and
communities
2d) Create instructional and outreach programs
SLO 3: Organize, create, archive, preserve, retrieve, manage, evaluate, and disseminate
information resources in a variety of formats.
3a) Demonstrate understanding of the processes by which information is created,
evaluated, and disseminated.
3c) Search, retrieve and synthesize information from a variety of systems and
sources
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3d) Demonstrate understanding of issues and techniques of preservation of
physical and digital objects
Professional Expectations:
Students are expected to fully participate in every class and conduct themselves with
integrity in all interactions with colleagues and the instructor. No personal phone calls;
no texting during class. Students are expected to arrive on time and stay until the class
is excused.
Completing weekly assignments will insure that students are informed on class topics
and bring fresh perspectives to discussions. It is essential to demonstrate respect for
fellow classmates by encourage everyone to contribute.
Please refer to the document, Professional Expectations Notice for LIS Graduate
Students posted at: www.Hawaii.edu/slis/students/profexp.html.
Teaching Philosophy:
The UHM Library Rare Book Collection is the perfect laboratory for learning about rare book
collections. If you approach the class and the collection with respect, enthusiasm, and a sense
of adventure you will find a learning environment that expands your knowledge and provides
a foundation for future learning and professional experiences.
Respect the Rare Book collection:
The UHM Library Rare Book collection will be your primary resource. You should plan to
spend considerable time preparing for class, including a minimum of an hour a week, prior to
class, reviewing selected books in the Moir Reading Room (Tues – Friday 10AM – 4PM).
Absolutely no food is allowed in the Moir Reading Room
Backpacks must be placed in lockers outside the Moir Reading Room
To prevent oils on hands causing damage to rare materials prepare for class by washing
hands
Always use pencils
Notebook for writing is allowed
Phones (to take pictures) or cameras are allowed
Using laptops or tablets will depend on table space
General structure of classes
Lectures to introduce topic
Assessment and discussion will center on the rare books selected for each class
(available for review in the Moir Reading room)
Readings:
Steven K. Galbraith and Geoffrey D. Smith, Rare Book Librarianship: An Introduction and Guide,
Santa Barbara, CA, Denver, CO, Oxford, England: Libraries Unlimited, 2012.
Arlette Farge, The Allure of the Archive, Yale University Press, New Haven, 2013.
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John Carter and Nicolas Barker. ABC for Book Collectors (New Castle, Del.:
Oak Knoll Books, 2004), 8th ed. The entire 8th edition of the book may be
downloaded gratis from:
www.ilab.org/download.php?object=documentation&id=29
The Folger Shakespeare Library - Handling Rare Books
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NWyruNYILw
Edward Gorey
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/201102A09.html
Assignments and Grading:
All assignments will be graded both on creativity, content and style.
Book descriptions (10 - 5 pts each)
50
Participation
15
Quiz (1)
10
Final Project
25
Grading
100-97 points = A+
78-76 points = C+
96-93 points = A
75-72 points = C
92-89 points = A-
71-69 points = C-
88-86 points = B+
68-66 points = D+
85-82 points = B
65-62 points = D
81-79 points = B-
61-59 points = D-
Points will be deducted for late assignments
3 LIS 693 Rare Book Librarianship Fall 2014
Book Descriptions and Participation:
Prior to each class students must closely examine books available the week prior
to class, and write a description of one book. The books will be in the Moir
Reading Room (Tues – Friday 10AM – 4PM). To participate in class discussion it
is essential to review a book.
Book descriptions – (3 pages)
Full bibliographic analysis of book
Check card catalog (UH Rare Book Shelf list)
Review and question UHM Voyager record; find World Cat record for same
edition
Discuss provenance of book
Describe and discuss publisher / printer; paper; size; binding; illustrations;
any other unique or interesting elements.
What is the book telling you about the period when it was printed?
What story might you relate about this book?
Provide brief bibliography of sources consulted
Participation:
Participation will be evaluated by demonstrated knowledge derived from
reading, review of books and contribution to discussions.
Quiz
Quiz will focus on vocabulary from assigned readings, lectures and class
discussions. You will be able to consult your notes.
Final Project:
Papers must be 12 pt. double spaced. Projects will be introduced in class. Three
options for final project:
-
Write a research paper examining in detail some aspect of the UHM
Library Rare Book Collection that excites you. Include outline for an
instructional or outreach to captivate a specific audience.
-
Create a video product to introduce some aspect of the UHM Library Rare
Book Collection that excites you. A brief paper will outline goal of video,
target audience and the instructional or outreach experience you are
introducing.
-
ONLY two slots to curate an exhibit for the tall case in the Moir Reading
Room. Due dates for final installation, exhibit plan and a brief paper about
exhibit including target audience, items selected and caption information.
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LIS 693 Rare Book Librarianship Fall 2014 - Syllabus
TOPIC
25-Aug Treasures & Provenance /
Nuts & Bolts
1-Sep Labor Day
8-Sep Printing /Paper
15th & 16th century
imprints
15-Sep Paper / Printing
Readings
ASSIGNMENTS Due
Holiday!
Rare Book
Librarianship, pp. 177
The Allure of the
Archive, “Writing,”
pp. 121 - 124
The Allure of the
Archive, “Gathering
and Handling
Documents,” pp. 53
– 78.
Book description
22-Sep Binding
Book description
29-Sep 17th & 18th century
imprints
6-Oct Rare Book Collection
Management & Outreach
Book description
Rare Book
Librarianship, pp. 79120.; " pp. 127 -158
The Allure of the
Archive, “On the
Front Door,” pp. 18 –
22; “She Has Just
Arrived,” pp. 47 - 52
Quiz
13-Oct Illustration: wood cut,
engraving, Lithographs /
Photographic
20-Oct Victorian Literature
Book description
27-Oct Travel Literature
Book description
TOPIC
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Book description
Readings
ASSIGNMENTS Due
TOPIC
3-Nov Science
10-Nov Natural History /
Botanical Prints
17-Nov William Morris /
Kelmscott / Dove Press
24-Nov Book Arts 20th century
1-Dec Edward Gorey
Guest: John Carollo
Dresser
8-Dec Introducing – final
projects
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Readings
ASSIGNMENTS Due
Book description
1st exhibit installation
Book description
Book description
2nd exhibit installation
Book description
Final project