1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

2: Helped to set the stage. 3: Very good selection of background materials -- standards for the fields. 4: Interesting to read but mostly useful for historical background (context). 5: They weren't discussed at length but they were useful as background. 6: The readings provided an excellent frame for the lectures and discussions in the course. In many cases the lectures clarified or provided context and examples for ideas and discussions noted in the readings. 7: Very useful, particularly ABC for Book Collectors. 8: Very useful.

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

1-2: Yes. 3: N/A. 4: I'm sure the book list I was given will be of much use in the future. 5: The reading list will be useful in the future. 6: A very useful bibliography was distributed in class; I intend to use it as a guide for future reading and reference sources. No syllabus was distributed; one was read to us on Monday and we have marched through it as the week has gone on. 7: The bibliography is excellent, and I am certain it will prove useful to me in the future. 8: Yes.

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

1-2: Yes. 3: YES. 4: Yes, challenging but not overtaxing. 5- 6: Yes. 7: The intellectual level was fairly high, which was appropriate to the content. 8: Generally, yes, but the formal lectures were sometimes too general in scope, and were somewhat rambling.

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

1: The time in Special Collections was extremely well spent. The examples used for the class were well researched and appropriate. 2: Yes. 3: Yes, very. Trips to Special Collections ref. section gave us an opportunity to work on problems discussed in class and see more examples, items related to various topics. 4: Yes, definitely. It was a privilege to view and handle the Special Collections materials. The time in reference was very instructive and helped with class exercises. 5: Yes, it's always interesting seeing highlights of particular collections. 6: The trips (two for us) to Special Collections allowed us to see illustrations of several points of discussion from our lectures. Also, the Special Collections are just great fun to visit. 7: Yes -- very well spent.

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: Yes. 2: There was a lot of latitude in the title, but it certainly fit. 3-4: Yes. 5: Somewhat, less time was spent on management of rare book collections and more on researching rare books. This was just fine with me, as that was what I was hoping the course would be about ultimately. 6: Yes. 7: It corresponded fairly well; I had expected a bit more practical information as opposed to history and theory. 8: Yes.

6) What did you like best about the course?

1: NB. 2: NB's overall approach and knowledge of classical information. 3: NB -- who gave so generously of his knowledge, time, and (good) humor. 4: NB -- the depth of his knowledge and his enthusiasm for communicating it was inspiring. 5: The class project, researching one book over the course of the week. 6: The instructor: NB. 7: The instructor is a true gentleman/scholar. It was a delight to be in his company. The class was most enjoyable when he was demonstrating how to do specific research, e.g. trace coat of arms. 8: The informal discussions with NB, the opportunities to ask questions, and NB's analysis of particular books, taken from the RBS teaching collection and in UVa Special Collections.

7) How could the course have been improved?

1: Make the course two weeks long in order to get more instruction from NB. 2: Not sure it could -- only could modify according to tastes of one or two critics, and could hurt the "personality" of the presentation. 4: This was a near perfect experience and I really can't think of anything. 5: Not necessary, as long as NB is teaching it, it's an RBS institution. 6: A more spacious accommodation for the class would have been wonderful. (Room to move about freely in the classroom and work with the classroom collection.) 7: A little more emphasis on "how to" discover various facts about books. 8: I think it could have been improved with fewer formal lecture periods, or by making the lecture topics narrower.

8) We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the RBS 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?

1: Not relevant. 2: Larger classroom and table (if possible). 4: Can't think of anything. 5: Perhaps more cradles. 7: None -- handling was quite good.

9) Please comment on the quality/enjoyability of the various RBS activities in which you took part outside of class (e.g. 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: We had a wonderful class, and we did several activities together and solo. This being not my first time at RBS, I opted out of the tour, Video Night, and Bookseller's Night, but still had an enjoyable time. 2: They were all fine, but only as garnish -- the course was the best part. 3: Sunday night dinner could be held somewhere where there is more room! 4: More chairs at dinner would have been helpful. 5: NB's evening lecture was great. 6: The opportunities to gather together are welcomed. Would that the gathering space in Alderman were larger and offered a place to perch or set things down while talking and eating and drinking. 7: Tour -- very good, as a first time RBS student, I really appreciated being shown where things are. Sunday dinner -- very nice, good way to meet people. Wednesday lecture -- vintage Barker, erudite with wicked humor.

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

1: Yes. 2: Yes. Take advantage of the remarkable educational scope of this teacher, and don't fuss too much over a few details. 3: YES. 4: Yes. I very much hope to have this opportunity again. 5: Yes. NB, like so many RBS instructors, has a wealth of knowledge that goes beyond the day to day business of the book trade and enters into the realm of folklore. 6: Yes. Do your readings and get plenty of rest before you arrive. 7: Yes, I got my money's worth. I would really not encourage beginners to take this course. 8: Yes, it was well worth the money to benefit from NB's wide knowledge and experience. I know I will look more critically at books in the future, because of my experience in this class.

Number of respondents: 8

There were five rare book librarians (63%), one archivist or manuscript librarian (9%), one general librarian with some rare book duties (9%), and one antiquarian bookseller (9%).

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