In this workshop, participants will learn and engage with the exciting world of rare books and special collections, and discover foundations of original, descriptive and subject cataloguing.

Using a variety of primary source materials of 16th-19th century printed books, participants will take part in hands-on exercises. They will gain the knowledge and understanding of collation and pagination, and learn how to describe a book’s condition.

In this workshop, you will:

• Perform your own rare book cataloguing Explore a variety of bindings like vellum, pasteboard, calf, morocco and re-bound books Identify aspects of illustrations, including engravings, woodcuts, head and tail-pieces and signed engravings
• Learn how to research and conduct bibliography and its importance in Special Librarianship and the Rare Books trade
• Learn where to access Rare Books & Special Collections on campus, as well as how to conduct valuable research from online resources such as the ESTC (English Short Title Catalogue), BnF (The Bibliothèque nationale de France Catalogue Général), WorldCat, and others.

• This workshop will benefit participants who are interested in acquisitions, special collections and collections management, and anyone with a passion for books!

Instructor: 

Bradley McIlwain, Rare Books Cataloguer, Minotavros Books