A. Schreyer

L-10 Special Collections Librarianship

19-23 July, 2010

1. How useful were the pre-course readings? (Leave blank if you applied and were accepted late for the course, and thus did not get the list in time.)

1: Overall the readings were relevant and useful. At first I was a bit mystified by the choice of the Carter book but it made sense in the context of the class. 2: The readings were very useful background, and helped frame early discussions. They were not necessarily covered specifically in class, but were nonetheless useful to have prepared. 3: The pre-course readings were useful in preparing me for the discussion. We did not refer to them much (in general) which was both a positive and negative. 4: The pre-course readings were necessary, especially Carter's book. The information related to the course and helped in better understanding vocabulary and topics on special collections. 5: The pre-course readings were extremely helpful and informative. They helped me to really prepare for this class and helped me to get a general idea of what would be discussed. 6: Very helpful, I would have read more if assigned. 7: Readings were a good and light introduction to the course and the field. 8: The pre-course readings did a good job of sensitizing me to issues and terms involved in the course. 9: The pre-course readings gave me a good idea of the scope of the course. 10: Somewhat helpful. 11: Useful, but not necessarily imperative. 12: Very useful. 13: Somewhat—reread as class progressed and it all made much more sense! 14: Very suitable. Readings provided a consistent starting point for all students on day one.

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

1: The course packet had some very important materials and was nicely organized. AS referred to it in a constructive way during class. 2: The workbook was full of useful materials to consult during the week, and will be a helpful resource in the future. 3: Yes. AS has collected a host of practical documents I intend to carefully read through. 4: I plan on going back home and re-reading the course syllabus, which is very rich content and current. I was surprised to find information so recent. 5: Yes, they were very appropriate and useful and were used in class and will continue to be used by me once I return home. 6: All very helpful and will provide a great reference back home. 7: Yes—the bound book of readings given out in class will be helpful over times as it includes vetted readings and examples on prescient topics from a reliable and knowledgeable source (AS). 8: The course materials book is GREAT! I anticipate using the materials on a consultation basis in the future—and going on to explore resources mentioned in the bibliography. 9: Yes, they were useful in class and I'm (sure) they will be in the future. 10: They will be very helpful when I return to work—I hope to use them to improve policies and practices at my institution. 11: Yes. 12: Yes. Will be useful for the future. 13: Somewhat—reread as class progressed and it all made much more sense! 14: The materials were outstanding and comprehensive, will be using them for foreseeable future.

3. What aspects of the course content were of the greatest interest or relevance for your purposes? Was the intellectual level of the course appropriate?

1: The course covered so many areas it is hard to say what had most relevance. 2: I found discussions about best practices and current issues in the field—intellectual property, building digital collections, access and metadata—all relevant. Discussion of bibliography was a review for me, but clearly very useful for the class. 3: Yes, to the latter question. None of us knew all the ins-outs of all categories, nor even most (I imagine), and that was the point of enrolling in the class—to learn the broad areas and then specific issues (at least in part). 4: I found all the sections useful, as I intend to specialize in special collections. The intellectual level of the course was appropriate, and had no difficulty understanding topics I was familiar with. 5: I was particularly interested in donor relations and collection development and found the materials and discussions to be very useful and informational. 6: Knowledge of rare books and best practices for special collections interest me most. 7: Yes, appropriate level. All interesting. 8: The course as a whole, but particularly the instructor's base of practical experience and the tales/examples offered by fellow students really added. It was conducted a good level to cover basics and dig deeper into issues at hand. 9: I really, really enjoyed the hands-on activities with old books and the visit to Small Library. 10: Course content that was of a more general nature was more useful to me as I do not work in an academic setting. 11: Everything was interesting and relevant and at the appropriate level. The topics of digitization and outreach were probably the most valuable to me. 12: I was interested in gaining more than a superficial overview of special collections in order to better plan my job search and better evaluate my competency in the field. 13: Presentation aspects, outreach. 14: The course was survey in nature, which was what I was hoping for. Instructor alluded to other RBS courses for further, more detailed study.

4. What did you like best about the course?

1: AS was a great instructor and kept us focused. The trip to Small Special Collections Library was particularly enjoyable. 2: AS. She is extremely skilled at leading dynamic and engaging discussions, sharing her experiences and expertise, and drawing out students' experiences. She presents a nuanced discussion of ethics and standards, always gracious and courteous, but also sharing criticism and reservation when appropriate. 3: Discussion. 4: The atmosphere. Students interacted very well with each other and the teacher was wonderful 5: I loved everything about this class, especially AS. 6: The instructor was very energetic and experiences and this came through in her instruction. 7: Spending time evaluating books, in special collections and the digital lab and the ensuing conversations as a group. 8: See above. 9: Getting to see some of the good stuff from Small. 10: Visiting the Small Special Collection. 11: AS made the lectures/discussion accessible and interesting to all intellectual/experience levels. She was interesting and approachable. Great Instructor. 12: AS—her experience and generosity. 13: The instructor and my fellow students—learned from them both. 14: Comprehensive survey-aspect of course was best aspect of course. Glad to see this course at RBS.

5. Did the instructor(s) successfully help you to acquire the information and skills that the course was intended to convey?

1: AS discussed many elements and aspects of the field to an appropriate length. 2: Yes, AS was able to point out key resources, and included wonderful assignments—like selecting stacks items for transfer to Special Collections—that really allowed students to apply discussions to practice. 3: Yes. I know much more now about the other side of the shop (for me). 4: Yes. I acquired in-depth knowledge on many current and sometime challenging topics. 5: Yes, she absolutely helped me to acquire the information and skills that the course was intended to convey. She also inspired me to continue to learn as much as I could. 6: Yes, though I think we could have gotten deeper into some subjects; however, time probably would not permit. 7: Yes, AS is a great teacher—knowledgeable, but also engaging—really got us talking but also kept us on topic and kept out various topics and tangents cohesive. 8: AS conducted an excellent course, covering a lot in a short span of time and making the whole a pleasant, stimulating memorable experience. 9-10: Yes. 11: Yes. She was thorough and would explain very well when there were any questions. 12: Yes. She was excellent. 13: Yes—brought up good points and graciously accepted other points of view. 14: The instructor was expert in content and delivery methods for content.

6. Did you learn what the course description/advertisements indicated you would learn?

1-5: Yes. 6: Yes. I thought it would be a little more in depth. 7-14: Yes.

7. Did you learn what you wanted to learn in the course?

1: Yes. I felt I needed an overview of the field in special collections librarianship and that was what the course provided. 2: Yes—I primarily wanted to identify and become more knowledgeable about key issues in the field, and the course has definitely helped me do so, and provided me with direction for further exploration of different issues. 3: Yes. I feel a bit more intimidated by and a bit more informed about what my public service colleagues do and are faced with (challenges). 4-14: Yes.

8. How do you intend to use or apply the knowledge or skills learned in this course?

1: I hope to be taking on more special collections responsibilities in my job as a reference librarian. 2: I am still shaping my career trajectory, and hope to use what I've learned to shape my own ongoing professional development, and to shape my contributions to the field through participation conferences and in committee work. 3: I'm not sure about that yet, at least from a practical point of view. I feel I will have more fruitful, better conversations with my colleagues though. 4: I'm mostly involved in collection development activities and I feel more confident now in evaluating materials that have the potential to be included in Special Collections. 5: As a student still in Library and Information Science School, I intend to apply these skills toward my graduate Assistantship and toward my future career. 6: I highlighted ideas on public services, digitization, and exhibitions from my class notes that I will incorporate in my job. 7: Oh, I've got a little list started of specific things I want to work on when I get back to my office—inspired from class discussion—that ought to keep me busy for the next year (or so ...). 8: I will use this knowledge to deepen my research interests and position myself for career applications. 9: Part of the reason I came was to get ideas for the promotion of the rare book room at work and I got plenty. 10: Improving the practices and guidelines of the collection I work in. 11: "More product, less process" is very applicable in my situation—it gives me the incentive to just get the ball rolling. 12: I feel better prepared with a better understanding of the field—even more motivated and convinced about pursuing a career in the field. 13: To adapt techniques to our situation in order to keep the collection healthy and provide useful access. 14: I will be better able to direct the development of a modern Special Collections Librarianship course(s) at my institution.

9. How could the course have been improved? If you have a suggestion for a new course (and—equally important—a person who could teach it), please contact the RBS Program Director.

1: A little more time outside the classroom but working with the instructor and guests would have been good. 2: I don't think I'd change this course. However, I'd be interested to see a related advanced Special Collections course, perhaps focusing on administration and management. 3: The room was comfortable enough, but I also found it somewhat stifling. Maybe more opportunities to move around, change the environment. I knew that is difficult to accomplish. 4: Excellent course, I wish I can re-take it over time. 5: I really think that this course was designed very well. 6: I'm not sure how the class can be improved without adding another week! I would like to have seen a few more hands-on type sessions. 7: No suggestions. 9: Maybe it was just my own misconception, but I was surprised and a little disappointed by the amount of time spent listening to lectures in the classroom. I thought there would be more activities and field trips. 10: I applied for this course with the understanding it was aimed towards academic librarians. However, would be nice to see future courses that reflect the needs of special collections in other settings. 11: No immediate suggestions. 13: More time, I suppose—but I already collapsed at the end of each day. As a want, it would be nice to have a bigger break and breakfast room—the RBS room is a little claustrophobic. 14: I already see a "Digital Special Collections"-type course on the RBS schedule. That will be an excellent follow up. This course covered essentials.

10. If your course left its classroom to visit Special Collections (SC) or to make other field trips away from your classroom, was the time devoted to this purpose well spent?

1: Yes, definitely. 2: Very much so! 3: Yes. It was great to see the facility (front and back rooms), hear the challenges, witness their collections (treasures). 4: Yes. We visited Special Collections during the course and were encouraged to visit the exhibits in our spare time, which was great. 5: Yes, it was very well spent. It allowed me to see how other special collections departments are organized and used. 6: Absolutely. I wish time allowed for more activities. 7: Yes. It was too bad that our time in SC got cut short due to the lack of space. But the time we did get to spend there was a nice change of scenery. 8: Yes, on the whole, particularly because the trip was integrated into the next day's discussion and thus dual purposes. 9: Yes. 10: Yes. 11: Yes. Great exhibits/talks with the SC staff (Heather and George) and with the digitization department. 12: Yes. 13: Yes—SC. 14: Yes.

11. 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: No suggestions—materials seemed to be handled safely. 2: I didn't observe any mishandling of materials. 3: AS was very careful about this and ensured that we were too. 4: Materials were handled with care, I cannot think of better ways of dealing with such materials. 5: No suggestion. 6: Not sure what else we can do—most students already understand the need for careful handling and hands-on is a great way to learn. 7: No suggestions. 11: No suggestions. 13: AS was practical about washing your hands before handling—which is a good way to prepare your patrons as well.

12. If you attended the optional evening events (e.g. RBS Lecture, Video Night, RBS Forum, Booksellers' Night) were they worth attending?

1: Yes, but probably best to skip one event so you can decompress. 2: Excellent lectures by Michael Winship and Todd Pattison. I also appreciated how AS integrated a review of them into our discussions the following mornings. 3: Hmm. Well, somewhat. The presentation was often dry if content-wise very interesting. 4: I attended just a few. Yes. I enjoyed the presentations, which added to my knowledge. 5: Yes, they were worth attending. They allowed you to interact more with others and hear about other topics of interest. 6: Yes 7: Yes, all worthwhile. The evening activities were great for getting to know our fellow students as well as content. 8: The short videos on lithography were old and exposed me to new info, but weren't that great. 9: Yes. 11: RBS Lecture—interesting topic, thought the presentation was less dynamic than hoped for. 12: The videos on lithography could stand to be updated. The lectures were worth attending notwithstanding the fact that many were tired at 5:30. 13: For the company of your fellow students—yes. The Pattison lecture was interesting. I had already seen "Desk Set", so I didn't stay. 14: Yes, though some booksellers closed prior to 8 pm.

13. Did you get your (or your institution's) money's worth? Any final or summary thoughts, or advice for other persons considering taking this course in a future year?

1: Yes, it was an intensive course that covered a lot. RBS provided a high level of hospitality. 2: Yes! This was an excellent course, and I highly recommend it for someone in the early stages of entering the field and wishing to become more familiar with the various issues and challenges facing Special Collections. 3: Yes, I got what I expected and am satisfied on that score. I think the RBS Program continues to excel at what it does and it one of the foremost CE programs in the country. 4: It is a course worth taking, especially for these people who have an interest in pursuing a career in Special Collections. 5: Yes, absolutely. I wish to come back next year. 6: Yes, I would add more advanced reading so that while here at RBS, a student is prepared with questions for all of the talented people that are so well qualified to answer those questions. 7: Yes! 9: Yes. 10: I think this course will help me and my coworkers, even though we are in a public library setting. A course that deals with special collections in settings other than academic libraries would be wonderful. 11: Yes, definitely worth it. Thank you! 12: I think so! 13: Money's worth—yes. I will be back if I can be. 14. Well done! Again glad to see this course at RBS—it was the perfect entre to future coursework at RBS—hope to see you next year. Thanks!

Number of respondents: 14

PERCENTAGES

Leave

Institution gave me leave

65%

I took vacation time

7%

N/A: student, self-employed, retired or had the summers off

28%

Tuition

Institution paid tuition

79%

I paid tuition myself

14%

N/A: Self-employed, retired or scholarship

7%

Housing

Institution paid housing

57%

I paid for my own housing

36%

N/A: stayed with friends or lived at home

7%

Travel

Institution paid travel

43%

I paid my own travel

43%

N/A: lived nearby

14%

There were two rare book librarians (14%), two archivist/manuscript librarians (14%), five general librarians with some rare book duties (36%), one teacher/professor (7%), two full-time students (M.L.I.S. and Ph. D.) (14%), one library staff (7%), and one non-profit administrator (7%).