21: Advanced Descriptive Bibliography [G-50]
7-11 March 2005
1) How useful were the pre-course readings?
1: The pre-course readings were very useful, although we did not have time to address many of the issues raised in the various articles. 2: Provided the necessary background for class discussions. The review of Bowers was imperative for lab sessions with books. 3: Useful and essential.
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, the materials distributed in this course were quite useful, and I plan to read many of the supplementary materials when I return home. 2: Syllabus was useful and notebook of materials was well-organized; [it] contained materials that I utilized during the week. I will happily take the notebook home for future reference. 3: Yes.
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: Yes, the course content was very relevant for my work, and the intellectual level of the course was appropriate. 2: The hands-on labwork with sets of books as well as the discussion of results; the exercise of critiquing two published catalogs or bibliographies; RN’s class discussions: all were highlights and relevant to what I do at home. The level of the course was expected -- challenging and enjoyable at the same time. 3: All aspects were interesting and relevant -- a good balance. The intellectual level was appropriate.
4) If your course had field trips, were they effective?
1: Our visit to Special Collections to meet with David Vander Meulen and see the Hinman collator was time well-spent. Although my classmates had used a Hinman collator before, I had not, so it was new for me. 2: Yes. Great to hear David Vander Meulen speak, as well as be able to try the Hinman collator. 3: Yes. At first I thought I wouldn’t want to take time away from collating, but it was well worth it, and made for a better class overall.
5) What did you like best about the course?
1: I enjoyed working with the books -- both homework and lab time. 2: Loved all of it! Learning from the finest descriptive bibliographer in America can only happen at RBS. 3: We learned so much in just a week! It was a pleasure as well as a privilege to study with such an expert.
6) How could the course have been improved?
1: I wish that we had more time to work with and discuss books from the teaching collections. I learned a great deal from the homework and lab sessions and wanted time to cover more books. Of course, I realize that there is not much time in the schedule to fit in more homework/lab sessions. 2: No suggestions.
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: The materials were handled properly, and I think everyone was mindful in working with the RBS teaching collections, especially with the materials in more fragile condition. 2: No suggestions. We were provided with cradles and other tools to help ensure the lives of the books we handled. 3: None.
8) If you attended the Sunday and/or Monday night lectures, were they worth attending?
1: The Sunday night lecture and Monday night museum/lecture were worth attending. I enjoyed having an opportunity to visit “Lower Tibet” and look at the teaching collections. TB’s demonstrations of the music typewriter and music engraving kit were quite educational. 2: Definitely. 3: Yes.
9) If you attended Museum Night, was the time profitably spent?
1: The Wednesday night museum with demonstrations was a useful (and much-needed) break from DesBib homework. I wish that I had more time to see all of the demonstrations, as the Pro-Scope and Linotype demonstrations were interesting. Seeing the Heart o’ Linotype demonstration illustrated the working of the machine wonderfully; I now understand the readings I recently completed on the history of Linotype for a course I am taking this semester! 2: Very much so. The staff is knowledgeable and the “stuff” enjoyable to see. 3: Yes.
10) Did you get your money’s worth? Any final thoughts?
1: This course was definitely worthwhile -- not only for the content but also for the opportunity to work in a small class with people working on interesting projects at their libraries. I would suggest bringing your Intro to DesBib exit reading list/course packet with you. Copies from the RBS Archive were provided, but I would have loved having my own copy with me. 2: Absolutely. 3: Definitely it was worth it! I would have taken this course even without institutional support, and still considered the time and money well spent.
Number of respondents: 3
Percentages
Leave Tuition Housing Travel
Institution Institution Institution Institution
gave me leave paid tuition paid housing paid travel
67% 34% 33% 33%
I took vaca- I paid tui- I paid for my I paid my own
tion time tion myself own housing travel
33% 33% 67% 67%
N/A: self- N/A: Self- N/A: stayed N/A: lived
employed, re- employed, with friends nearby
tired, or had retired, or or lived at
summers off exchange home
0% 33% 0% 0%
There were 1 rare book librarian (33%), 1 general librarian with some rare book duties (33%), and 1 library support staffer (34%).