60 North Harding Road

Columbus, OH 43209-1524

614-239-8977 (voice)

614--239-0599 (Fax)

info@mbkcons.com www.mbkcons.com

Workshop Descriptions Workshop Websites & Bibliographies Consulting About MBK
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Rare Books Fall 2007

Description

LIS60665

60665 RARE BOOK LIBRARIANSHIP (3) http://www.slis.kent.edu/courses/catalog.php

Study of the theory and practice of rare book librarianship through lectures, readings, discussion, and practical exercises.

 

Course Objectives

The course will consist of two parts – History and Bibliographic Description, and Rare Books Collections Administration

Students will learn

  1. The place of rare book collections within a library or archives
  2. Identification and description of rare books, manuscripts and non-print items
  3. How researchers use materials in special collections / rare book rooms and the reference tools they need.
  4. Basic cataloging and arrangement decisions for rare books, manuscripts and special collections
  5. Preservation, conservation, and security concerns for rare collections.
  6. The elements, activities and funding for a rare books department, including promoting the rare books collections throughout the library and the academic community to encourage use of the materials and collections through exhibit, bibliographic instruction, research projects, and publication.
  7. Familiarity with information sources on preservation available through publications and organizations and including technical standards, program development tools, scientific and administrative research reports, and advocacy literature.

 

Class meeting schedule: meets once a week on Tuesday from 2:15-4:55pm in Room 317 in the Library August 28 through December 2007.  Office hours: 1:15-2pm and 5-6pm Tuesdays and by appointment.
Required Text: Chappell, Warren and Robert Bringhurst. A Short History of the Printed Word. Revised and updated ed. Vancouver: Hartley & Marks, 2000. (available at the bookstore and on reserve at KSU Library)

 

Course format: The course is taught in lecture and participation format, with adequate opportunity for questions, and with informal discussion actively encouraged.

 

Paper Format will be double-spaced and submitted in paper format using APA or Chicago Manual of Style for footnotes and bibliography.  Chicago Manual of Style is the preferred format for Rare Books.  Attention to spelling, word usage and grammar is essential.
 
Course Assignments:
Progressive Descriptive Analysis (200) due week 6 (Oct 2) – This progressive exercise works with modern (1800-1940) books and will build descriptive analysis skills starting with descriptive bibliographic analysis and biographical sketches and ending with bibliographic essays.  This exercise will familiarize students with specialized research tools and techniques utilized by Rare Book Librarians.

 

Rare Book Terminology quiz (50 pts) – testing understanding of unique terminology for Rare Books and Manuscripts

 

Rare Book bibliographic / descriptive analysis project (300 pts total) – each student will select two rare books (pre-1850s),

Facsimile (micro-format) descriptive analysis 150 pts due week 11 (Nov 6)

Students will perform descriptive bibliographic analysis, transcription of the title page, a written presentation of the bibliographic features, brief history of the item, and any unique features

Early Ohio Imprint (hard copy) – Union Catalogue Project 150 pts due week 14 (Nov 27)

Students will perform descriptive bibliographic analysis, title page transcription, a brief history of the item, and compile a union list of institutions holding their specific title using reference tools as directed.

 

Group presentations (150 pts) [100 pts for individual contribution; 50 pts for group project] shall be discussions of the broader issues of Rare Books and Manuscripts and will include an oral presentation by the group as well as a annotated bibliography containing 6-12 citations and succinct fact-sheet for distribution to the other students.  Bibliography and fact sheet will be given to instructor prior to presentation for duplication and distribution to class.

Topics for group presentations are:

The Digital World and Special Collections / Rare Books

Promotion, Outreach and Education

Preservation, Conservation and Security Issues

Non-book Collections

Development and Donor Relations

The Profession

 
Participation and current events presentations (100 pts) each week two students will present articles from the newspaper, current journals, or the news media about Rare Books in the News.  These articles can include digital projects, art exhibits, and thefts.

 

Final Examination: (200 pts) A final examination will measure students understanding of concepts taught in the course. 
 
Course grades are assigned upon the full semester's performance as follows: 1000-900 "A"; 899-800 "B"; 799-700 "C"; 699-600 "D" and below 599 "F".  Late Assignments will have 20 deducted for every week late without permission from the instructor.
 
Student Responsibilities: Students are expected to read the assignments, participate in class, go on the ‘field trips’, write the assigned projects and papers and attend every class.  Students should inform the instructor if they know they will miss a session.  Students are expected to provide the instructor with a valid e-mail address so extra readings and materials can be distributed outside class.
 

Syllabus Description Rare Books Websites Rare Books Bibliography
Workshop Descriptions Workshop Websites & Bibliographies Consulting About MBK
Publications Schedule KSU Students Home
 

MBK Consulting

 

Miriam Kahn 614-239-8977 (voice)
60 North Harding Road 614--239-0599 (Fax)
Columbus, OH 43209-1524 info@mbkcons.com

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