Training for rare book librarianship

London rare books school institute of english studies. Terry belanger is the founding director of rare book school rbs, an institute concerned with education for the history of books and printing, and with rare books and special collections librarianship. Between 1972 and 1992, he devised and ran a masters program for the. This paper, based on a study undertaken in 197677 at the university of maryland at college park, examines the current state of curricular development at library schools favoring advanced education for archival or rare book librarianship. The provision of training within scotland for rare book librarians why a postgraduatelevel course. British librarianship and information work began in 1929, became quinquennial in 1958, and was last published in 1993. The training of rare book librarians work, also had some time left. California rare book school is a continuing education program dedicated to providing the knowledge and skills required by professionals working in all aspects of the rare book community, and for students interested in entering the field. She teaches a course in special collections librarianship at rare book school, university of virginia, and serves on the association of research libraries arl task force on special collections, for which she drafted a white paper on education and training for careers in special collections. He also served as a visiting professor at pratt institute from 2007 through 2012, where he taught courses on printing history, bibliography, and special collections librarianship. Rbms has no role in the accreditation of rare book and manuscript education and training programs, institutes, or courses.

An introduction to the principles and practice of special collections librarianship, with an emphasis on rare books. Secret buying stategies 2015 rare stamp experts official training guide. Byrd the lilly fellowship program at indiana university. Search for library items search for lists search for. This is the first of two short courses on rare books librarianship and it provides a general introduction to this specialist field. Such a shortage is, of course, by no means confined. The stereotypical image of elderly, spectacled, stern librarians dominating over their realm, their dedication to the preservation of knowledge evident in their delicate treatment of books and the harsh treatment of those who disrupt the sacred space, is an image slowly receding since the introduction of technology. Alice schreyer, whats so special about special collections librarians. The training of rare book librarians ture to students who have majored in the subject, or introducing evans, sabin, and writings on american history to students who have majored in american history, or even insisting that quotations and bibliographical citations must be accurate. Education, training, and recruitment of special collections librarians. A journal of rare books, manuscripts, and cultural. Library schools, however, have been unable to fill such requests in sufficient quantity, seldom even in sufficient quality. Apply to librarian, archivist, rare book cataloger full time through june 2021 and more. Librarians who enjoy working with youth may consider a career as a childrens librarian, a school librarian, or a young adult librarian.

Since there virtually are no available specialized trainings on rare book librarianship in the country, it is very likely that the librarians who are. Many would still argue that the ideal preparation for a career in rare book or manuscript librarianship would entail a solid liberal arts education combined with a graduate program in librarianship that included numerous formal courses in special collections librarianship, the ability to apply. In the early 2000s, no scottish library school offered any training aimed at rare books librarians or on historical bibliography. Reading right through these descriptions may be useful for those unacquainted with rare book school, the more so in that the courses are arranged in subject order rather than by level of complexity. Most of this book went in one ear and out the other. Law librarians work in a variety of settings including law school and university libraries, law firm and corporate libraries, state and federal agency and court libraries, and archives and rare book libraries. Rare book and special collections long island university. Are you studying librarianship and would like to add some subject heading skills to your portfolio. Many rbs courses are offered annually or biannually. Presentations by other experts on subjects like strategies of preservation for rare books, and rare book cataloging for archivists complement this unique workshop. Rare books librarianship cpd department of information studies. Eric ej059393 training for rare book librarianship.

Rare books for archivists society of american archivists. In order to gain a wellrounded experience, the library will provide cross training in other facets of rare book librarianship. Learn more about rare book and special collections librarians. This is the first volume to cover a decade and the first to be issued by the new publisher, ashgate, which has become such a major force in international lis publishing. List of books and articles about librarianship online. Law librarianship graduate certificate school of information. Inclusion of a program in this directory does not imply endorsement or approval by the rbms. The employer who today bemoans the lack of rare book librarians has probably lamented the shortage of catalogers yesterday and will probably look in vain for a reference librarian tomorrow. Courses in special collections librarianship rbms rare.

Rare book librarianship and historical bibliography 217 2010 and published in interim form as part of the unique and distinctive collections project in 2012. Silver within the last few years, there has been an increased demand for rare book librarians, a demand which, in the opinion of many, should be supplied by the library schools. Its not that it didnt have anything meaningful or important to offer the reader, the problem was that so much of the material has become outdated, and working in a public library where we have a rare book room i was hoping for some guidance or insight into managing materials. Rare book librarianship maymester 2010 three credit hours description a foundation in the principles and practices of rare book librarianship. Silver is professor of library science, simmons college. Terry belanger, founding director of the rare book school at the university of virginia, wrote a great article on rare book librarians. Required experience with or demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging trends in rare book and manuscript librarianship. An introduction and guide gold, silver and rare coins. Education for librarianship cumulative index, 19601975 compiled and edited by. Law librarianship offers several niches and specializations including foreign and international law, government documents, patents. Rare book librarianship for the 21st century is the first new rare books handbook of practice in 25 years. Advocating the role of the rare books librarian all library and.

Citeseerx document details isaac councill, lee giles, pradeep teregowda. Results of a survey of the 53 accredited library schools regarding their programs for rare book and special collections librarians are reported. In order to access these books, a patron would send a request to the special collections reference services. Over the course of fourteen weeks, we will define rare books and special collections, learn about the different types of materials housed in special collections, and talk about what it means to be a rare book and special. Special collections librarianship rare book school. Includes online digital 2015 catalogue with values of used us and uk classic. What is a rare book and special collections librarian and. Rare book librarianship by roderick cave goodreads. This position will provide exposure to the working environment in one of the largest and most significant repositories for rare books and manuscripts in the united states. The membership and professional development committee of rbms has stated that substantial rare book or archival experience can be gained if students approach their course of study creatively, through internships and independent study for example, by taking general courses in librarianship, slanting their work toward special. Authored by two special collections experts with extensive field experience, this book is also the first to discuss the role of digital technologies in managing a rare book collection.

Such a shortage is, of course, by no means confined to rare book librarians. In their personal statements, applicants should describe any relevant training, education, and experience, noting how the course fits into their current. An introduction to rare books cataloguing skills and resources, covering the nature of book production in the early modern period, printed and online resources relating to provenance and bindings, and basic features of rare books signatures, catchwords, and so on of which an understanding is needed for cataloguing. Provides a bibliography of reference resources for rare book librarians includes sideba. Latin for rare book librarians to identify title page elements author, title, imprint etc. This is an introduction to the workings of lc subject headings, an opportunity to ask all the questions you want, and get some practical experience of adding. Training includes education, specialized training, certifications mls andor equivalent course work and studies in the history of written, printed, and digital materials. Although more than 20 years old, the article still has great information. Palmer schools coursework is designed for students intending to pursue careers in research libraries, cultural institutions and the book trade. The columbia university libraries graduate student internship program in primary sources is designed to enrich graduate studies and professional training in primary sources through an introduction to archival processing work, supplemented with an orientation program, networking opportunities, discussions and tours.

Library trends, summer 2003 focused on special collections. Topics include book collecting, acquisitions and access, support for teaching and research, professional competencies, programming, preservation, ethics, and current issues and trends. Introduction to library of congress subject headings. London rare books school 2020 will take place from 15 19 june week one, 22 26 june week two, and 29 june 3rd july week three. Organizations of collections for use i organization of collections for use ii publicity and publications the training of rare book librarians bibliography appendix index. Read finding your niche as a youth services librarian, at, for a good overview of career options for. Whats so special about special collections librarians. In order to earn credit, a student will have to complete the course successfully, and pass a 5,000 word essay which must be submitted within two months of the end of the course. Practicing archivists without formal training in bibliography or special collections librarianship who find themselves. Such a shortage is, of course, by no means confined to rare book. Journal of education for librarianship, 12, 4, 223231, spr 72. A great step in improving rare books collection management in the country is equipping our rare book librarians with the training and skills needed for them to effectively carry out their work. Courses in special collections librarianship rbms rare books.

Prior to this appointment, he worked for six years as librarianincharge of nypls rare book division. Successfully managing rare book collections requires very specific knowledge and skills. Terry belanger founded the book arts press at the columbia university school of library service in 1972 as a laboratory for various programs concerned with the history of books and printing, descriptive bibliography, the antiquarian book trade, and rare book and special collections librarianship. Through surveys and examinations of catalogs, course offerings at 64 accredited library schools capable of supporting training for rare book.

Practicing archivists without formal training in bibliography or special collections librarianship who find themselves involved with rare bookseither frequently or infrequentlyand who wish to learn more. Indeed, in the past, we have had no organized programs for training rare book librarians. The london rare books school lrbs is a series of fiveday, intensive courses on a variety of bookrelated subjects taught in and around senate house, university of london. The london rare books school lrbs is a series of fiveday, intensive courses on a variety of book related subjects taught in and around senate house, university of london. I organization of collections for use ii publicity and publications the training of rare book librarians. In order to gain a wellrounded experience the library will provide cross training in all facets of rare book librarianship. This course is meant as a practical introduction to the field of rare book and special collections librarianship. Philippine librarianship presented at cornell university, ithaca, new york. He is university professor emeritus at the university of virginia uva, where rbs has its home base. Framework of rare books training needs national library of scotland.

Since there virtually are no available specialized trainings on rare book. If a book is a rare book then it will have that indication on its catalog page, along with the various other copies owned across all libraries. Students develop proficiency in rare book librarianship, the history of the book, rare book cataloging and descriptive bibliography, preservation, archival techniques, and exhibition planning. In order to gain a wellrounded experience the library will provide crosstraining in all facets of rare book librarianship. This handbook provides that essential information in a single volume. British librarianship and information work 19912000. Prior to this appointment, he worked for six years as librarian incharge of nypls rare book division.

All contributions of one author are listed alphabetically under the last name of that author. Sep 28, 2010 learn more about rare book and special collections librarians. She teaches a course in special collections librarianship at rare book school, university of virginia, and serves on the association of research libraries arl task force on special collections, for which she drafted a white paper on education and training for careers in. Practical meet demands of increased role of rare book material in university teaching growth of the study of the history of the book growth of projects and digitisation within libraries based on their rare book material.