|
Rare Books Fall 2010
Description
LIS60665 |
|
60665 RARE BOOK
LIBRARIANSHIP http://www.slis.kent.edu/
Study of the theory
and practice of rare book librarianship through lectures, readings,
discussion, and practical exercises.
|
|
Course Objectives
The course
integrates many aspects of Rare Book Librarianship including History of
the Printed Book, Bibliographic Description and various administrative
aspects of Rare Book / Special Collections Departments. Overall we will
explore rare and special books, their forms, functionality and uses by
students, researchers and scholars.
Students will learn …
- The place of Rare Book collections within a
library or archives
-
Identification and description of Rare Books, Manuscripts and non-bound
items.
-
How
researchers use materials in Special Collections / Rare Book Rooms and
the reference tools they need.
-
Basic
cataloging and arrangement decision making for Rare Books, manuscripts
and special collections
-
Preservation, conservation, and security concerns for Rare Collections.
-
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.
-
Familiarity with information sources on rare books available through
publications and organizations and including technical standards,
program development tools, and advocacy literature.
|
|
|
|
Class meeting schedule:
meets once a week on Tuesday from 2:15-4:55 pm in Room 319 in the Library
August 31 through December 14, 2010. Office hours are 1-2 pm
Tuesdays and by appointment.
|
|
Course format: The course is taught in lecture
and participation format, with adequate opportunity for questions, and
with informal discussion actively encouraged. |
|
Paper Format is double-spaced. You may use APA
or Chicago Manual of Style for footnotes and bibliography. Chicago
Manual of Style is the preferred format for bibliography and footnote
references for rare books.
APA citations must
include author, date, and page numbers.
Attention to spelling, word usage and grammar is
essential for all assignments. Points will be deducted for spelling,
grammar, and word usage and terminology errors. |
|
|
|
Course Assignments: |
|
Progressive Descriptive Analysis
a three part assignment (400 points total)
due weeks 7 & 15 (Oct 12 and Dec 7)
The Progressive exercise (150
points - due Oct 12) 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
Editions and Formats
(150 points due Dec 7)
continues work on the same title as above with students describing and
comparing
various printed and digital formats. This will familiarize students
with specialized research tools and techniques utilized by Rare Book
Librarians and to learn to identify various editions of same title. Final
project is due week 15 – Dec 7.
Class presentation on bibliographic project
(100 points - due Dec 7) is a 5 minute presentation from each
student about their title for the semester including a description of
their books, the history of each book and its subsequent printings, and
why researchers would study it.
The finished project will be a virtual
exhibition about your author and his/her work. You want to engage the
audience so they are driven to continue to learn and study the work. You
will post your work for the class to see on the course discussion boards.
|
|
Rare Book Terminology quiz
(50 pts) – testing understanding
of unique terminology for Rare Books and Manuscripts
|
|
Webcast review (due week 11 – Nov 9) 50 points - – students will write a review of the
webcasts
|
|
Reference Questions
(100 points) to be distributed in class |
|
Facsimile (micro-format)
descriptive analysis 100 points due week 10 (Nov 2)
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.
|
|
Current events presentations (50 points) 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.
|
|
Class Participation (50 points)
|
|
Final Examination: (200
pts)
A final examination will measure
students understanding of concepts taught in the course. Final exam
will be in class on Dec 14. |
|
|
|
Course grades
are assigned upon the full semester's performance as follows:
GRADING : 1000-950 A,
950-900 A-, 899-870 B+, 869-831 B, 830-800B, 799-770 C+, 769-731 C,
730-700 C-, 699-600 D, 599 below F.
Late Assignments will have 5 points deducted for every day 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. |
| |
|
|
Syllabus |
Description |
Rare Books Websites |
Rare Books Bibliography |
