This past June, I experienced what many rare book librarians only dream of – I was accepted at Rare Book School, also know as Summer Camp for Book Nerds. Rare Book School (RBS) was founded in 1983 by Terry Belanger to enhance the study of books across multiple disciplines and fields. Today, RBS offers over 60 courses at multiple locations, with the main hub being at The University of Virginia.
I was accepted into the most competitive class at RBS: The History of the Book, 200-2000 taught by John Buchtel, Head of Special Collections at Georgetown University, and Mark Dimunation, Chief of the Rare Books and Special Collections Division at the Library of Congress. The course promised a survey of printing methods and the evolution of the book, and the cultural impact of both. The course also provided a strong list of vocabulary words and phrases that all students who wish to stay in the field should know. I received my master’s degree a little more than a year before attending RBS, and in my current position as Reference Librarian, I find myself working with scholars from all over the world, all of whom have multiple perspectives on books. This course seemed promising.
I was very nervous when I arrived. I was the girl who went to scout camp at the age of 7 and cried for two straight weeks – would twenty years make a difference? It was time to put on my best librarian sweater and get out there, a decision I immediately regretted when I walked off the train and felt the humidity smack me in the face. Sweaty and grumpy, I arrived for orientation, and listened to RBS Director Michael F. Suarez’ introductory lecture, in which he emphasized living in the moment of art and objects. Suarez reminded us to really look at the books we were about to study instead of taking pictures in an attempt to own them, a practice common in both libraries and museums today.
The first day of our class began, where I met a diverse and fun group of classmates. They ranged from professors, to booksellers, to archivists, with one traveling from as far away as Hawaii. Each had a unique take on how they use their collections in their own environment. I started the class off right by enthusiastically claiming the book I was given to inspect had a “little turny thing,” which I learned was called a volvelle, which sounds a lot more professional.
During the next few days, we focused on the origins of writing and the printed book. We learned in depth how early books were composed by touching printing type pieces, feeling the feet and grooves, and even getting to print our own almanac on a press. We also looked at illustrations, and learned how to tell the difference between wood and metal engravings. At last, I was able to understand exactly what our researchers are looking at as they trace bibliographic data, and to speak to them in ways that are more constructive.
Throughout the course, we also looked at what the book has meant culturally. We reviewed some of the books, magazines, and journals that have helped the written word transform along the way. This was demonstrated on a larger scale during our final lesson. The RBS has a massive collection of different versions and editions of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. This collection was laid out on three large tables, among which were some of the funnier examples, such as raunchy romance novel style covers, and angry Jane Eyre goth zines. Although amusing, this exercise ended the class as a reminder about how print can take hold within a culture, and change the world.
List of vocabulary words and some inside jokes of the class given to students by John and Mark on the last day.
Continuing education for librarians is important as it allows us to help researchers and to help cultivate knowledge around the collection in our care. Although I knew how to use book rests and other collection tools, John and Mark made special note of all the different ways you can “build” book rests to give books maximum support. It is important to keep the cardinal rule of “Dating a Book” – never take a book where it does not want to go. Correcting a researcher for building their book rests incorrectly can be scary; now, I feel more confident on why I need to speak to a researcher for the safety of the book. The spines of the books in the Historical Medical Library will be forever grateful.
John and Mark also built up my confidence in talking to researchers about their work. During one of my first weeks working at the Library, I was subject to a long stare given by a very nice and extremely experienced researcher for not understanding what they meant by the “De Ricci.” The researcher kept saying they knew we had a manuscript based on “De Ricci.” I kept looking in the catalog…not realizing that the De Ricci was an index of bound manuscripts! I was mortified. RBS gave me a set of vocabulary that I can now use that will help me speak to researchers on a professional level. The information I learned has also come in handy when making selections and writing text panels for the “pop-up” exhibits hosted monthly by the Library. Knowing the history of printing and the cultural impact it has had has led to better discussions on why the books we select matter.
It is always fun to go away and play with other people’s books. The University of Virginia’s rare book department was filled with books that I once could only dream of seeing. Seeing their rare books helped me value the collection we have here at the Library. I couldn’t help but be a little proud of our collection when Mark chose the Library of Congress’ copy of Andreas Vesalius’s De humani corporis fabrica (1543) to show, knowing that we had multiple copies back home!
The knowledge I gained during my class has been passed along to my coworkers at the College and to other librarians. Understanding the culture and the vocabulary of the book lets me help others understand the value of special collections. Once, I would smile and nod when bibliophiles rattled on about their research. Now, I can converse about their research needs and interests. Rare Book School has given me a better understanding of the value of the printed word, the book, and the responsibility of librarians like us who work with collections like those at the Historical Medical Library.