Module Information
Module Identifier
DS36210
Module Title
Introduction to Rare Book Librarianship
Academic Year
2026/2027
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay (1,250 words) | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | An exhibition catalogue (equiv. to 2000 words) OR Report on managing a bequest (c2000 words). | 70% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay (1,250 words) Submission of supplementary coursework for failed course elements in line with the learning outcomes of the original assignments (failed component(s) only). | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | An exhibition catalogue (equiv. to 2000 words) OR Submission of supplementary coursework for failed course elements in line with the learning outcomes of the original assignments (failed component(s) only). Report on managing a bequest (c2000 words). | 70% |
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module you should be able to:
- define the nature and purpose of rare-book libraries;
- discuss the history of the printed book in Western Europe, especially in Britain;
- identify the principal physical characteristics of a printed book of the hand-press period;
- explain the general principles of the printing process in the hand-press period;
- explain the roles of the various tradesmen and craftsmen within the book trade, such as printer, bookseller, binder, papermaker, compositor;
- demonstrate how to identify a book of the hand-press period using the standard bibliographical reference tools for English printed materials;
- analyse the main curatorial and management problems facing a rare-books librarian, including security, conservation, information technology, and reader services;
- devise a promotional strategy for a rare-books collection
Brief description
This is the first of two modules on rare-books librarianship and it provides a general introduction to this specialist field. It gives a brief overview of the development of the printed book in the hand-press period (to approximately 1850) and examines the problems of identifying and making available valuable and early printed materials in libraries.
The aim of this module is to enable students to identify materials in a rare-books collection and give them the appropriate curatorial care, give help and advice to the general public about materials in a rare-books collection, and to deal appropriately with bibliographical queries and promotion.
The aim of this module is to enable students to identify materials in a rare-books collection and give them the appropriate curatorial care, give help and advice to the general public about materials in a rare-books collection, and to deal appropriately with bibliographical queries and promotion.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Communication | Writing and presentation skills. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students are set activities which involve reflection on practice and suggestions for acquisition of relevant new skills. |
| Information Technology | Use of web-based catalogues and databases; use of web-based conference facilities. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Use of the library environment in activities and assignments in a specialist are of library and information studies. |
| Problem solving | Several of the activities in the module set tasks which involve identification of problems and of factors which might influence potential problems. |
| Research skills | Several activities involve a researched follow up to taught examples. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Identification and analysis of early printed books; reading room management for rare books; promotion; disaster planning; interpretation of Latin imprints. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6