1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: They were very useful. Good selection. 2: Very. 3: They were extremely useful and their content was even clearer after the course. 4: Essential. 5: Very useful, if not essential. 6: Excellent. 7: Very useful -- gave a quick (?) overview that was reinforced in class. 8: Indispensable. 9: I think that they were extremely useful. 10: As good as there are available. 11: The readings were generally useful, though some were difficult to follow without the knowledge gained in the course. These should probably listed as "post-course" readings. 12: 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: The illustrations in the book will be very useful. 2: Yes. 3: The syllabus is and will be a useful reference. 4: Yes. 5: Yes; diagrams in the course handout/binder especially helpful (e.g., endleaf construction, board attachment, &c.). 6: Excellent. 7-8: Yes. 9: The course packet was very instructive without being overwhelming. 10: Very useful. 11: They were most helpful. A time line giving some indication (even if only in relative terms) of when and where various techniques and innovations were used would be helpful. Perhaps a glossary of terms mentioned would be useful as well. 12: Yes they were helpful.

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

1-3: Yes. 4: (Appropriate to what?) The intellectual level of the course was very high, while also lucid and appropriate. 5: Absolutely. 6: Yes. 7: Most definitely -- basic explanation of binding was given at first so that discussions could quickly advance. 8-9: Yes. 10: Very. 11: Absolutely. 12: Yes.

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

1: Yes. 2: Very much so. 3-4: Yes. 5: Yes. NP was always efficient in use of time; never wasted class time on chit-chat. 6: Yes. 7: Absolutely -- by then one was eager to see the actual volumes that had been shown in slides. 8: Yes. 9: The visit to Special Collections I think allowed for a little showiness while still being very informative. 10: Very well. 11: Very well spent. Real examples supplemented the images on slides (though the latter were a vital part of the course as well). 12: With a course as interesting as this, you would need a month!

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: I think so but I expected more about bound books rather than in wrappers. But then I didn't realize there are so many early books in "wrappers" -- But my library only collects (buys) "bound" books. 3: Very much so. 4-12: Yes.

6) What did you like best about the course?

1: For someone with no background in bindings, it provided me with a good grounding in the subject. 2: Lots of specific examples with dates and places helped very much to guide me through the abyss of structures. 3: The instructor communicated an enthusiasm for the subject that was contagious. 4: The case of BAP example bindings, numerous slides, and visit to UVa Special Collections. 5: NP's wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, and especially his enthusiasm and wit. 6: NP's in-depth knowledge of the construction of the book, and great enthusiasm for the subject. 7: The content and the instructor -- was already interested in the content or I would not have taken the course. The instructor gave it all such life -- his wealth of knowledge and his wit made the hours move too quickly. 8: The instructor and his vast knowledge of the subject matter, his organization of the material and the manner in which he delivered the information. 9: I enjoyed the range of material covered. 10: The dynamism, knowledge, communicative skill, wit, and kindness of the professor. 11: NP is a wonderful instructor, able to impart vast amounts of information in a relatively brief time. 12: NP's immense experience and knowledge. It was a privilege being here.

7) How could the course have been improved?

2: Although every single slide and example shown were of great interest, there is much to sort out. Given that, I would be less confused if "unique" situations (which NP describes as "this is the only one I have seen") could be eliminated, and maybe he could show some common examples of edges which he says he hasn't shown in several years. 3: I cannot think of how it could be improved. 5: Can't think of anything too important. Perhaps a little timeline or chronology of major book construction techniques and place used, or similar help, as part of handout/binder. 6: Can't think of a thing. 7: Another week. 8: I cannot imagine how. 9: Add another week. 10: Possibly, an add-on day (Sat) to see more slides and books and cover student questions. 11: See item 2. 12: More time.

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?

2: Everything was great. 3: No suggestions. 5: None. 6: Not applicable for classroom handling, since the materials were so fragile, most only could be handled by NP; However, there were plenty of them. 7: Yes. 11: If it were possible to actually handle some of the materials rather than to have the instructor simply pass them before us, more detail could be seen. Perhaps "models" rather than actual antiquarian items would make this possible. 12: Everything was handled well.

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.).

2: Very helpful and enjoyable. 3: Very enjoyable, very informative. 4: Study Night was especially good. 5: Bookseller Night seems irrelevant during the winter -- most bookstores we visited were closed before 7 pm. 6: Took part in all but Sunday afternoon tour, they were all very enjoyable and an excellent way to socialize with other students and staff. 7: Bookseller Night was great -- also enjoyed the videos for this class, Study Night gave extension to class. 8: I enjoyed all of them. 10: Perhaps there could be a greater choice of videos on video night. 11: All evening events were both enjoyable and informative. 12: All well planned and well-thought out. Once again, a class-act!

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

1: Yes. 2: Definitely worthwhile! 3: Very much so. 4: Yes. 5: Absolutely. 6: Yes, be prepared for a very intense experience, with all the other students who probably know more than you, and if they don't they are not letting on. 7: Yes. 8: Yes -- Great course. 9: YES. 10: Well worth it. Would love another course taught by NP. 11-12: Yes.

Number of respondents: 12

There were four rare book librarians (33%), three conservators, binders, or preservation librarians (25%), two book-collectors (18%), one archivist or manuscript librarian (8%), one general librarian with some rare book duties (8%), and one person who was semi-retired (8%).

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