1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: Excellent and highly useful for a grounding before arrival. 2: Lehmann-Haupt was very useful, good as introduction to topic. Other readings provided additional info that was not covered in detail in class.

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: Yes. 2: Yes and yes.

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

1: Absolutely, especially since the course was small enough that MW could be certain of participant's knowledge. 2: Very much so.

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

1: Yes, absolutely. The two trips to Special Collections were well-paced and planned. They were models of economy and effective presentation. Bravo! 2: 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?

1-2: Yes.

6) What did you like best about the course?

1: MW -- his knowledge and passion. The books. The "classification" workshop with Lucile was an extraordinary chance to see bibliography in action -- it was powerful! 2: MW's knowledge of the field and his willingness to express ideas that are contrary to general wisdom. Getting to collate c19 books was valuable. Fondling Lucile was fun too.

7) How could the course have been improved?

1: Don't think it could be improved. 2: Can't think of anything.

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: MW is one of the most careful and respectful RBS teachers I've ever seen with these materials. They are in "good hands" when entrusted to him. (All courses could adopt his rules!) 2: Yes.

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: I enjoyed them all, although the physical toll may discourage some people from attending. (They should make the effort.) 2: All activities were fine, and TB and his staff do a terrific job.

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

1: Yes. Advice to students: arrive prepared and well- rested. 2: Yes indeed. Nice mix of technical info about book production, history of the publishing industry, and theoretical discussion of approach to history of reading.

Number of respondents: 02

There was one rare book librarian (50%) and one special collections librarian (50%).

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