Rare Books Librarianship i

Module Identifier
DSM1610
Module Title
Rare Books Librarianship i
Academic Year
2027/2028
Semester
Distance Learning
Co-ordinator
Jennie Hill
Reading List
View on Aspire
Other Staff
Jennie Hill
Ms Tanya Rogers
Dr Julie Mathias
Dr Sue Lithgow
Dr Anoush Simon

Assessment

Assessment Type

Assessment details

Proportion
Semester Assessment 2,000 word essay: 50%
Semester Assessment Management Policy ( 2,000 words): 50%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmission of coursework: %

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

  1. Define the nature and purpose of rare-book libraries
  2. Discuss the history of the printed book in Western Europe, especially in Britain
  3. Identify the principal physical characteristics of a printed book of the hand- press period
  4. Explain the general principals of the printing process in the hand- press period
  5. Explain the roles of various tradesmen and craftsmen within the book trade, such as printer, bookseller, binder, papermaker, compositor
  6. Demonstrate how to identify a book of the hand-press period using the standard bibliographical reference tools for English printed materials
  7. Analyse the main curatorial and management problems facing a rare-book librarian, including security, conservation, information technology and reader services
  8. Devise a promotional strategy for a rare-books collection

Brief description

This is the first of two modules on rare books librarianship. 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 c. 1850) especially in England and examines the problems of identifying and making available valuable and early printed materials in libraries.

Module skills

Skills type

Skills details
Application of Number N/A
Communication Writing and presentation skills
Improving own Learning and Performance Students are set activities which involve reflection on practices in thier workplace and suggestions for aquisition of relevant new skills ( such as promotion and disaster planning.)
Information Technology Use of web-based catalogues and databases; use of web-based conference facilities.
Personal Development and Career planning Use of the library working environment in activites and assignments in a specialist area of library and information studies
Problem solving Several activities in the module set tasks which involve identification of problems and of factors which might influence potential solutions.
Research skills Several activities involve a researched follow-up to taught examples
Subject Specific Skills Identification and analysis of elements of early printed book; reading room management for rare books; promotion ; disaster planning; interpretation of Latin imprints.
Team work N/A

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7