1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: They were extremely useful. I think I would have been quite lost certainly at the beginning, without having done at least the required reading. 2: Very useful -- made some of the lecture material a matter of recall, rather than a new encounter. 3: Didn't read, was not advised in time. 4: The course readings were helpful.

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 for the class and yes for later use. 2: Material (binders list) was certainly appropriate for the class -- very instructive. 3: Not really my field. Took this class because couldn't get into Introduction to Bookbinding. 4: No syllabus -- it would have been helpful to have one.

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

1: Yes. 2: Yes. Instructor did not hesitate to address any issue, however elementary or complex. 3: A little fast for a grandmother. 4: Yes -- top quality.

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

1: Absolutely! The trip to the Folger was a very special treat! The only criticism -- it went by too quickly. 2: Yes. Very well spent in viewing concrete examples described in lecture. 3: Yes, Folger Library an outstanding experience. 4: Yes -- seeing the actual thing -- instead of slides -- was well worth the long trek back and forth.

5) What did you like best about the course?

1: I particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to see, discuss, and think about bindings and their decoration. This is something I have never had the leisure to do. 2: Coverage of material in a rapid yet thorough manner; instructor's intensity, attention to detail, and yet, at the same time, an openness to questions. 3: Vigor and hard work of professor. 4: The many slides that illustrated what was discussed.

6) How could the course have been improved?

1: I think it could almost be made into two courses. I for one would have liked more time to discuss bindings in their historical context -- I have a great many questions. MF has seen and handled so many bindings that I think she could fill up two such courses. 2: No suggestions for improvement. 3: Perhaps too detailed. We never considered what was inside the binding. 4: Course syllabus handed over at the start.

7) 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: Handling of rare books is always subject to the philosophy and policies of the institution. I am of the school which feels that within reason rare books need to be held, read, and scrutinized. The earlier they are the sturdier, generally. 2: Handling seemed appropriate, though some had a greater tendency to touch than others. 3: Went to Special Collections and were very careful. 4: We did not use rare materials in class.

8) If you attended the Sunday and/or Monday night lectures, were they worth attending?

1: I did not quite enjoy Monday's lecture. It should have been better. We all have funny stories about our readers, &c. 3: Heard it was frivolous (no content), but I enjoyed it. 4: Yes -- enjoyed Sotheby's and the "State of the Union" address.

9) If you attended Study Night, was the time profitably spent?

1: Yes! 3: Didn't attend. 4: Yes -- demonstration of the Linotype.

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

1: Try and look at as many bindings as you possibly can and take the course. 2: Yes, certainly. Advice: do the readings and take copious notes. There will be plenty to recall and work through again once the class is over. 3: Perhaps. Make sure the era is of interest to student. 4: Yes -- money's worth. Read all the titles on the reading list, if you can find the time.

Number of respondents: 04

There were two rare book librarians (50%), one general librarian with some rare book duties (25%), and one antiquarian bookseller (25%).

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