Deborah J. Leslie
No.34: Rare Book Cataloging [L-030]
4-8 June 2001

1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: Well appointed. 2: Very; especially Gaskell. 3: Useful for future, framed issues in policy formation; provided good definitions of terms -- lingo of rare books. 4: Very useful, though in my case not absolutely essential. 5: Reading the textbooks was very important. The articles were less helpful, though the Belanger article was good for understanding terminology. 6: Very useful -- although some of the cataloging articles were slow going -- should have concentrated more on the bibliography and DCRB. 7: Not very. Would have been absorbed a lot better if we had to read while at school after particular lecture. Some of the material was too abstract and the videos and lectures explained better. 8: Very useful, and wisely selected. 9: Very useful; provided a good basis for classroom discussions. 10: Very useful. 11: Useful. 12: They were very relevant and good to read just prior to coming. (Some repetition among the guide to RB records...and Stalker, Dooley and Stalker, Raine articles.)

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: Materials will remain as talisman to ward off disease of bad MARC. 2: Yes. They will be very useful. 3: Yes, very good examples of cataloging, will provide extra practice and reinforce class lectures. 4: Yes. 5: Very useful: this workbook will be an oft-used cataloging reference. 6: Yes. 7: Yes -- workbook will be extremely helpful as reference. 8: Very much so. 9: Yes, yes and yes: appropriate and useful in class, and I am sure they will be when I return to work as well. 10-11: Yes. 12: Yes yes yes! The workbook is a treasure trove and all handouts (without exception) will become prime reference material for my job. The instructor was VERY generous in sharing info and ideas.

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

1: Yes. 2: Yes, although a bit of a stretch for me at times because of my lack of experience with rare books. 3-4: Yes. 5: Yes. Though I had little cataloging experience going in, I was able to understand and learn (and my questions were encouraged). 6-7: Yes. 8: Yes, absolutely. 9: Yes -- it presumed a level of knowledge that all participants in my class had. 10: Yes. Sometimes it seemed we were trying to cover too much, but I'd be hard-pressed to suggest what could be eliminated. 11: Yes. 12: Yes, right on.

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

1-2: Yes. 3: Yes, enjoyed the examples we examined at Special Collections. 4: Absolutely well spent -- this was a highlight for the course. 5: Yes -- Special Collections viewing was a useful illustration of the edition/issue/state concepts. Perhaps more could be done with this? 6: Yes, viewing the books reinforced what we talked about and was exciting. 7: Yes. Useful to see/have hands-on experience for this course and going to Special Collections for more examples reinforced lecture on particular topic. 8: Absolutely. 9: Yes! 10-11: Yes. 12: Our trip to Special Collections to view issues/editions/states of Pope taught me a lesson I will never forget -- very graphic -- thank you UVa!

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?

1-4: Yes. 5: Yes, very closely. 6: Yes. 7: Yes -- very much so. 8: Perfectly. 9-12: Yes.

6) What did you like best about the course?

1: Wide range of topics discussed; joy of cataloging that instructor brings to course; useful materials handed out in class; discussions of variant ways people handle problems. 2: Actual contact with the rare books; either inspecting them in rare book room, or cataloging them in class. (Variety is the spice....) I loved the folding exercise we did (origami "concentration camp"). 3: Practice with books -- actual cataloging practice and feedback on our work. 4: The manner in which a rather large amount of information and knowledge was presented and then how hands-on practice was encouraged. I was amazed at how much info could be covered in so short a time-frame. Another way to put this: course was intensive but not exhausting. 5: Lots of examples and practice, and a supportive instructor who guided your efforts. 6: The enthusiasm and expertise of the instructor and her mission to turn us into sleek rare book catalogers. 7: Hands-on examples -- very helpful in clarifying certain terms, processes, &c. 8: The course was presented in an extremely orderly manner by a woman who is thoroughly knowledgeable. DJL did not coddle us, nor was she needlessly controlling. She inspired, and earned, our complete confidence. Truly an excellent teacher. 9: Amount of material covered; appropriate levels of in-depth discussion or brief mention; ability to work with actual rare book materials; camaraderie of fellow classmates and instructor. 10: The exercises were great. 11: Learning about rare book cataloging and rare books in general. 12: The knowledge and enthusiasm of DJL and the camaraderie of our classmates. Looking at the BAP examples of everything we were learning. Having a chance at cataloging then discussing the right answers! Homework too.

7) How could the course have been improved?

1: More tagging in class or, at least, chance to do more work with books (as homework?) and get instructor's comments on hits and especially misses. Little more discussion on retrospective conversion/copy cataloging. 2: For me, I could have used a little slower pace and a few more "official" breaks. But I realize there was a lot to cover in one short week. I think I'm of the age where I need an afternoon nap (never thought I'd see the day). 3: (More room in classroom); more works in English -- fewer Latin examples until we felt more comfortable with the rules in general. 4: Hard to say; perhaps larger tables. 5: There was discussion of a variation of this class that is aimed at curators (or, i.e., those with less cataloging knowledge but more book knowledge). That would've been perfect for me, and to many others I suspect. 6: A room with a view. 7: A little more comparison between AACR2 and DCRB -- point for point comparison would have been most helpful in some cases. 8: The usual complaint -- if we only had more time! (But DJL certainly maximized the time we had.) 9: Nothing reasonable that I can think of -- I'd love to have it go on for another week! :) 10: I would have found more discussion of c19 and c20 materials useful. 11: I think maybe in pacing. Background on paper, binding, and book structure was interesting but I think the actual mechanics of cataloging were rushed at times. More classroom (or homework) practice would be beneficial. 12: I can't imagine. It was really perfect.

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: Good archival boxes; shiny duct tape. 3: N/A. 4: Can't think of any. 5: Great care was taken with this at all times. 6: Always use book ends; some materials need protective boxes. 7: None. Special Collections seemed to take all appropriate precautions. 8: RBS handling of materials continues to impress me. The staff does an awfully good job of having things where they need to be, and the classroom was very well appointed. 9: We were given specific instructions, and everything was handled in an appropriate manner. 11: Provide better book cradles and more space in which to work on the books. Classroom was cramped with 12 people when we did various exercises. 12: We were properly trained (and watched!) in handling and care.

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: Just right combo. 2: Great! [although I might look for another video to replace the Scottish engraving one]. 3: Monday evening lecture was excellent. 4: Sunday dinner was particularly enjoyable as a first-time RBS participant -- perhaps it should be required. Study Night was fun -- where else can you handle a type mold? 5: Excellent lecture by Jan Storm van Leeuwen. Bookseller Night is a fun -- and important -- chance for socializing with classmates and colleagues. Video Night is mixed -- some videos were well worth the time (esp. copper-plate mapmaking). 6: The Sunday dinner is a good idea. The friendliness of the staff and hospitality helped develop a positive environment. I didn't attend all the special events, but the lecture was exciting. Sometimes needed a break to rejuvenate. 7: Sunday night dinner -- good ice breaker. Video Night enjoyable and educational -- is it possible to have in different/larger room with bigger screen? 8: The dinner, and both lectures, were delightful. 9: Sunday tour and dinner: lots of fun; Monday lecture: very entertaining!; Bookseller Night: very expensive! :); Study Night: very interesting; Thurs. Video Night: mixed bag -- I was interested in one video out of the three I saw, but others were good. 10: A good mix of activities; very enjoyable. 11: Since we had homework two nights it was difficult to balance activities with completing it. 12: Sunday dinner was lovely and having a chance to hear TB talk about the BAP a treasure. Monday's talk very fun and inspiring.

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

1: Wish there was time in course for discussion of policy design and implementation amongst class members. 2: Yes! 3: Yes, I would recommend this course. Learned basics of DCRB more quickly and painlessly than through independent study. 4: It was not my money this time around, but I plan on taking a course in the future, and I would now have no reservations about spending my own money on RBS courses for personal interests. Advice for others: this is a hands-on course in which you will learn an immense amount regarding how hand-press books are made and should be cataloged. 5: Yes, I certainly did, and these skills are going to be very important to my work. I recommend this course, even for those librarians who may perform cataloging only as a portion of their duties. The information here reinforces a general knowledge of rare books in general. 6: Yes, come well rested and be prepared to work. 7: Absolutely. 8: A fantastic bargain, worth every cent and every moment spent. A huge thank you to the entire RBS staff, and kudos to DJL for an extremely valuable, exhilarating, rewarding class. 9: Absolutely! This was an extremely valuable course, and there is so much that I will be taking back to work with me. For future students: beware of long hours of sitting and way too many tasty snacks. 10-11: Yes. 12: Yes yes yes. Can't thank DJL enough for practical instruction, patience, and so much hard work and energy. Rules are generally not so exciting!

Number of respondents: 12


Percentages

Leave Tuition Housing Travel
Institution gave me leave Institution paid tuition Institution paid housing Institution paid travel
100% 100% 92% 92%
I took vacation time I paid tuition myself I paid for my own housing I paid my own travel
0% 0% 8% 8%
N/A: self-employed, retired, or had summers off N/A: self-employed, retired, or exchange N/A: stayed with friends or lived at home N/A: lived nearby
0% 0% 0% 0%

There were four rare book librarians (32%), one archivist or manuscript librarian (8%), five general librarians with some rare book duties (42%), and one special collections cataloger with both non-rare book and rare book duties (8%).


RBS Home