1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: Very useful. I certainly expect to do more reading now since I know the huge extent of the topic(s). 2: Although I was accepted late and could not complete the entire reading list, I found the readings that I did complete to be quite helpful. They helped prepare me for what I would hear discussed in class and will serve as useful sources in the future. 3: The readings were useful as a general introduction to the terms and issues discussed in class. 4: Very useful and educational -- excellent requirement. 5: Very valuable, although dated. 6: The three pages of readings were a good introduction to the variety of issues covered. Perhaps web sites could be included so as to give current treatment of issues that the readings were dated (not necessarily throwing out these dated issues) but to get today's perspective. 7: Very useful. 8: Some more useful than others. 9: Very useful -- but received late. 10: I read some of the pre-course readings but feel that I really didn't need to. 11: Very useful. The readings provided a thorough and interesting introduction to the topics at hand. (Although the list was too long to get all the way through before arriving.) 12: Good selection on a variety of issues; I read some from each section before coming, and now feel I can read the others (and others still) with a deeper perspective. 13: Many I had previously read, but it was good to review them again. For those I had not previously seen, they were a good read.

2) Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?

1: I believe so. 2: The readings in the course syllabus put me in a proper theoretical and practical mindset for class discussion. I do think, however, that some of them now bear rereading given the immersion that I have experienced this week. 3: The syllabus was useful as a guideline. The remainder of the booklet looks like it may very well be helpful if I ever get around to reading it. 4: Yes. 5: Yes, very on-point, much to digest. 6: Given that I kept myself busy reading t hings at Alderman, and that we were not required, or did it seem totally necessary to read these articles, I will read them later. 7: Very useful. 8: Yes -- syllabus packet will be excellent reference material at work. 9: Yes. 10: They were very useful and will continue to be useful in the future -- I am sure. 11: Yes. 12: Syllabus served as a guideline in class and will serve as a useful outline later. 13: I think they will be helpful, but does anybody besides DT write about this stuff? It would be good to get other perspectives.

3) Was the intellectual level of the course content appropriate?

1: Quite appropriate for me. 2: Yes. 3: I believe so, although the vocabulary was daunting at times. 4: It was often difficult to understand the "insider" comments, abbreviations, acronyms, jokes, names (authors, institutions), &c. The instructor needs to make an effort to be more explanatory of these kinds of things. 5: Yes, I think the class mix was a good one, varied but "coherent," and I felt very comfortable with the instructor's allusions, vocabulary, &c. 6: It was a pleasure to be with the teacher and listen to him for the week. 7: Very appropriate. 8: Yes. Delivered exactly what was promised in catalogue. 9: Yes. 10: Yes, I was a bit challenged but never lost. 11-12: Yes. 13: Yes, but perhaps it was even a little over my head.

4) If your course had field trips, were they effective?

1: Time well-spent, yes. I had remarkably little experience visiting another Special Collections library with the view towards comparing and contrasting with my institution's practices, space, &c. Edward Gaynor was totally charming and made me happy to be in the same profession. 2: The time was extremely well spent and was scheduled appropriately in our syllabus. Edward Gaynor delivered a marvelous overview of the department. I aspire to bring as much enthusiasm to my position as he appears to to his. The only unfortunate aspect is that our tour seemed a bit too rushed. 3: Very well spent. There is no substitute for experience. Visiting the Special Collections was a treat. It also raised important points. 4: Excellent. 5: We visited Edward Gaynor at McGregor and it was a delight -- a good break from the classroom, a good look at another institution and its problems. 6: Our visit was informative and delightful. Both the teacher and Special Collections librarians obviously love what they do, work hard and want to help others with similar inclinations. 7: We did this in the middle (Wednesday morning) of the course which was excellent timing, as we were familiar with concepts by then -- and we had remaining time to apply and reflect on the knowledge we gained. 8: Yes, dovetailed nicely with topics pertinent to rare book librarianship. 9: Extremely -- I suggest adding another appropriate visit during the week. 10: Definitely. 11: Yes. Enjoyed the visit to Special Collections very much. The staff member who spoke to us there did a great job -- I learned much. 12: Extremely. I would have liked to have had even more time to see things in the collection and to have the opportunity to meet with additional staff. But Edward Gaynor was wonderful. 13: Yes.

5) Did the actual course content correspond to its RBS brochure description and Expanded Course Description (ECD)? Did the course in general meet your expectations?

1: More or less. Perhaps I expected to gain a bit more understanding of the "history of the book." But, certainly, I was pointed in the right direction to learn on my own, for that topic and many others. 2: Yes, although I had the added advantage of talking about the course with a former student at this year's ALA meeting. 3: Yes. 4: Generally. 5: Yes. 6-7:Yes. 8: Very much so. Very happy that I got exactly what I expected. 9: Yes (and no). nothing could prepare one for DT. Far exceeded description. 10-11: Yes. 12: Yes, fairly well. 13: I think so.

6) What did you like best about the course?

1: DT was altogether delightful, brilliant, funny, well-read, and sensitive in his listening and responses to class members' tales and concerns. I most appreciated his philosophy of librarianship, his balanced view of the book or manuscript as "holy object," his joyful quality, his intellect, his silly sense of humor. His many tales, which he did not make up, were a delight. Of course, I return to my job with many new ideas and hopes for the future. 2: I have great respect for DT's level of expertise and for his obvious love for the work that he does. I also appreciated his well-taken point that this business is not prescriptive -- one size does not fit all. That makes it a greater challenge to apply and to describe what I've learned this week, but I am excited about the possibilities. 3: The relaxed atmosphere. 4: Instructor was very accessible, ready to talk, warm, friendly, a true expert and scholar. 5: DT, of course. Excellent use of anecdotes, stories, cautionary tales to illustrate his points. Coverages was broad and thorough -- I can't think of anything he left out. Excellent rapport with each member of the class and attention to each person's institutional setting. The guy knows his stuff. Period. 6: The teacher and his presentation of life experiences and advice. 7: Depth and breadth of information imparted. DT was an excellent teacher. 8: Knowledgeable (and humorous) instructor able to convey the material/information in easy and understandable way. His practical knowledge and experience added greatly to the course content. Could field questions easily and clearly -- was very satisfied with this. 9: The teacher (his style, manner, expertise, attitude, experience, humor, energy &c.) 10: The teacher. 11: We covered a wide range of subjects pertaining to rare book librarianship so that I feel as though I have a good sense of a lot of aspects of the profession -- the professor was knowledgeable as well as entertaining -- and the other students had a lot of interesting things to add to discussion. 12: The combination of lightheartedness and seriousness in the class. DT's passion for what he does. I feel energized about returning to all the everyday things I do at work. 13: Contact with fellow students; DT's stories, thoughts, &c.

7) How could the course have been improved?

1: I cannot say. I am too untutored. The not-so-enjoyable part of the course was, for me, an inward and honest look at my many professional weaknesses, my poor education and background, my misspent youth, my laziness. DT's comments often brought these feelings on, but they are necessary. 2: At this point, I cannot suggest any revisions beyond a slightly more careful watching of the time. 4: Beginners could benefit by more specifics of practice -- certainly the larger questions are good and appropriate -- but students really do need the mundane basics as well -- shouldn't we be able to get this type of info at the only training of its type around -- Rare Book School? 5: Ending on time so we could get to the early-closing Charlottesville shops. 6: A room with windows is always nice, and not having to sit in the same room day in, day out. 7: If all the money in the world were available, it would have been improved with additional instructors, location in a rare book room of a library, more hands-on with material. 8: No complaints. 9: A little more "hands-on" experience with materials of various sorts. 10: I don't know. 11: It could have been in a classroom with windows! 12: Having us discuss specific readings in class -- dare I say, "homework." 13: Perhaps use of co-instructor with different ideas, &c. to play off DT's approach.

8) We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the BAP's teaching collections and of materials owned by UVA's Special Collections. If relevant, what suggestions do you have for the improved classroom handling of such materials used in your course this week?

2: No comments; no suggestions. 5: Too bad there wasn't more time to actually handle the materials in the classroom, and, as noted, more time in BAP's teaching collections. 8: N/A. 9: None. 10: N/A.

9) Please comment on the quality/enjoyability of the various RBS activities in which you took part outside of class (eg Sunday afternoon tour, Sunday night dinner, evening lectures, Bookseller Night, Video Night, Study Night, tour of the Alderman digital/electronic centers, printing demonstrations, &c.).

1: I wish Daedalus had not closed early. 2: Sunday afternoon tour -- helpful, in the sense of initial orientation; good way to make initial introductions. Sunday dinner -- nice way to get acquainted with instructors, fellow participants. Evening lectures -- interesting. Bookseller Night -- fun despite some early closings; van transportation would have been nice. Video Night -- interesting documentary. 3: Bookseller Night was very enjoyable, and I was glad to have the information provided in the Vade Mecum on public transportation. The Video Night was enjoyable as much or more for the company as the videos. Also the speakers were entertaining. 4: All were good and positive (however, the printing demo and tour of the Etext Center were not offered -- and I really would have enjoyed both). 5: AB and the other student assistants were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and personable. I enjoyed all the activities (food was yummy); "Alphabet" was good. Russell was very helpful and patient. I guess there just wasn't enough time to do everything. I was glad to see food and drink in the BAP area in breaks, evenings, &c. Please go back to the van for Bookseller's Night. The cab service here is terrible! 6: Have a person giving the campus tour know about the campus history, buildings, plants, &c., and if that person doesn't know everything (which is not expected), be able to direct the questioner, or even later seem to care and find out the information and let the person know. 7: Sunday night dinner -- chance to meet participants. Very congenial, enjoyable. All the evening activities were very worthwhile. I appreciated the staff's devotion to the details, and to their preparation and knowledgeability on the Study Night, &c. 8: Sometimes exhausting, but usually enjoyable as well as educational. 9: Sunday dinner -- not worth $12. Bookseller Night too disorganized. (No Etext Center tour -- ?) Great video -- but needs re-transferring (to video) and audio enhancement. All RBS staff delightful and helpful. 10: All enjoyable -- continue them. 11: All very nice. But we did not get a hand-press printing demonstration! (Or at least not as of the completion of this evaluation. Would have liked one....) 12: Sunday night dinner -- good way to start before going into high gear on Monday morning and to meet students and faculty in other classes. Enjoyed Monday night lecture and Tuesday Bookseller Night. Found the Rotunda exhibition "crowded." 13: I enjoyed most of all the Bookseller Night (too bad the stores didn't stay open longer -- I felt rushed); the evening lecture; and the Video Night (though the sound quality of the tapes was poor).

10) Any final thoughts? Did you get your money's worth?

1: Surely [got my money's worth]. 2: I do feel that I got my institution's money's worth. The total immersion into the field is as invaluable an experience as I expected it to be. 3: The main problem for me was trying to go to everything that was offered and still manage to eat and sleep and read. It's an exhausting but rewarding experience. 4: It is important to have these courses available. Thank you for all your efforts to provide this education. It was a privilege to be able to attend. I appreciate the sacrifice made by all parties involved; RBS teachers and staff, my institution, and my family. 5: Absolutely the best training I've ever had for a week-long class. It's a bargain. RBS is a testament to TB's hard work and dedication, and DT is an exemplary teacher. Not one wasted minute. 6: I had a wonderful experience, and my only worry is that how can all the courses be so good. But then again I sort of can tell maybe they will be different but wonderful. 7: I did get my money's worth. I would recommend the course enthusiastically. 8: Worth every penny for someone who is new to rare books librarianship, even if they have been a practicing librarian prior to assuming their special duties. 9: Great! Absolutely worthwhile! Hard to imagine doing it better. Advice to future #43 students: wait for DT to teach it. 10: My institution certainly got its money's worth. I found the class to be enlightening, educational and invigorating. 11: Advice: stay on the Lawn. It really is worth it. 12: Take it. Yes [got my money's worth] (or I should say, I believe my institution got its money's worth). 13: This is a good place to begin in learning about rare book librarianship. I'd recommend it to anyone new in the field.

Number of respondents: 13

There were 4 rare book librarians (31%), 3 archivist/manuscript librarians (23%), 5 general librarians with some rb duties (38%) and 1 full-time student (8%).

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