News Archives

Rare Books Librarian (Assistant Librarian) — J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah

The Division of Special Collections at the University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library seeks a vital contributor to its research, teaching, and collections development missions in the role of Rare Books Librarian. This key position will help guide the strategic direction of Special Collections by acting as the primary caretaker of one of the major rare books collections in Utah and the Intermountain West. An active and visible presence on campus, the Librarian will establish collaboration and teaching opportunities in a wide range of subjects and uses of collection items. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Special Collections, the Rare Books Librarian will participate in setting divisional priorities and developing practices and policies together with the Special Collections leadership team. […]

RBS Announces Summer 2024 Course Schedule

Rare Book School is pleased to announce its summer 2024 course schedule! Our list of more than 30 in-person and online courses can be found at rarebookschool.org/schedule. New and updated courses for 2024 include: 

• • Medieval Manuscript Fragments: Cataloging & Discoverability (L-145), taught by Lisa Fagin Davis 
  • A History of the Indigenous Book in the Americas (H-150), taught by Will Hansen & Robert Warrior 
  • Modern Special Collections Cataloging (L-150), taught by Brenna Bychowski 

RBS will be adding a few more courses, […]

Newly Posted RBS Summer Lecture Videos Available

This summer, Rare Book School welcomed a variety of esteemed experts who discussed a wealth of topics, such as reading habits during the COVID-19 lockdown, Indigenous communities and printing history, the joys of collecting rare materials, and the importance of public history.

We are delighted to share video recordings of our Summer 2023 Lecture Series below. Audio files of lectures are also available. All lectures took place in Charlottesville unless otherwise noted. […]

Library Company of Philadelphia Exhibition: Leaves of Green

Please join the Library Company of Philadelphia for a special exhibition honoring Jim Green’s 38 years of service as Librarian Emeritus at the Library Company. The free exhibition, “Leaves of Green,” begins 8 November and is open to the public Mondays through Fridays. It will highlight some of Jim’s favorite acquisitions made during his time as Curator and Librarian (1983– 2021), as well as his exhibitions, scholarship, and the lasting relationships he formed with collectors and shareholders at the Library Company. As an RBS faculty member, Jim has taught “The History of the Book in Antebellum America,” “Key Moments in the History of the Book in the Antebellum United States,” and “The History of the Book in America, […]

Three-Part Lectures Series: “Cambridge Bookbinding, 1450-1775”

RBS faculty member David Pearson will give three lectures as part of the 2023 Sandars Lectures at Cambridge University next month. Pearson most recently taught the RBS summer course Provenance: Tracing Owners & Collections. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the University of London’s Institute of English Studies. The Sandars Lectures, which are free and open to the public, will be held in person (at Cambridge University’s Robinson College), live-streamed, and recorded. […]

RBS at the Boston Book Fair

If you’ll be at the 45th annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair this coming weekend (27–29 October), please be sure to stop by the Rare Book School table on Cultural Row. We’ll be at Booth 233, with information about our courses, fellowships, job opportunities, and more.

Michael F. Suarez, S.J. (RBS Executive Director); Barbara Heritage (RBS Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Scholarly Initiatives); Kay Min (RBS Assistant Curator); and other colleagues and friends will be at our table as well as on the show floor. We look forward to seeing you at the Hynes Convention Center in Downtown Boston this weekend! […]

Library Director — The Society of the Cincinnati

The Society of the Cincinnati is seeking a Library Director to join their team in Washington, D.C. Qualifications for the Library Director position include appreciation for the mission of the Society and for early American history; currently serving as a practicing librarian, with a master’s degree in library and information science, or related field, with relevant experience in special collections management; and professional presentation skills and excellent approachability/social skills. […]

The American Trust for the British Library Virtual Event: “Selling Falsehoods: Forgeries in Collecting & Scholarship”

The American Trust for the British Library invites you to the fifth annual David N. Redden Conversation, “Selling Falsehoods: Forgeries in Collecting & Scholarship,” a free virtual program and dialogue. This Zoom event, which is open to the public, will be held on Thursday 26 October at 5:30 p.m. ET. Speakers will include RBS faculty member Nick Wilding and longtime RBS supporter Kenneth W. Rendell, among others. Advanced registration is required here. […]

Moore College of Art & Design Virtual Event: “Artists Books at Fifty: Tony White in Conversation with Dianne Vanderlip”

On Thursday, 12 October at 7:00 p.m. ET, Connelly Library, the Department of Fine Arts, and the Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design will sponsor a free virtual event, “Artists Books at Fifty: Tony White in Conversation with Dianne Vanderlip.” In 1973, Vanderlip curated an exhibition titled Artists Books at Moore College of Art and Design, marking the first use of this pivotal phrase in the contemporary context. […]

Assistant Director, Special Collections Research Center — Syracuse University Libraries

Reporting to the Director of the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC), the SCRC Assistant Director plays an important leadership role in the establishment and implementation of frameworks for responsible stewardship and description of an estimated $250–$500 million worth of Syracuse University’s unique and rare collections held within Special Collections, the Belfer Audio Archive, and University Archives. The Assistant Director supervises librarians, staff, and student workers. This position fosters a flexible, collaborative work environment within the Center and with other units within the Libraries and on campus. The Assistant Director demonstrates a commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reparative archives initiatives that grow and develop the SCRC staff, […]

RBS Scholarship and Fellowship Applications Now Available

Rare Book School at the University of Virginia is now accepting applications for its 2023 scholarship and fellowship cycle. […]

Head of Special Collections — Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University is seeking a new Head of Special Collections. Wesleyan’s Special Collections is made up of over 45,000 volumes of rare books ranging from medieval manuscript codices and early printed books to 21st-century fine press books. It also maintains a strong collection of over 1,000 artists’ books with one highlight being those on social justice and related issues. It is part of the newly formed Unique Collections department that includes the University Archives, Archaeology & Anthropology Collections, Center for East Asian Studies Art & Archival Collections, and the World Music Archives. Reporting to the Dietrich Family Associate University Librarian for Unique Collections, […]

RBS Invites You to Apply to Its Fall 2023 Online Courses

Rare Book School is thrilled to share the details about its fall 2023 virtual courses. By offering online-only courses such as these, RBS hopes that students can together learn what bibliographical materials reveal about human history and human nature, how to care for these remarkable objects, and how to share what we know with the wider world. […]

Special Collections Office Coordinator — Princeton University Library

Princeton University Library Special Collections is seeking an enthusiastic, organized individual with strong collaboration and customer service skills to take on the newly established full-time role of Office Coordinator. Reporting to the Assistant University Librarian for Special Collections Public Services, the Office Coordinator will be a welcoming presence at our front desk and provide day-to-day management of the public spaces in SC Firestone Library as well as office support to several areas of Special Collections. The person in this position will coordinate departmental events in SC Firestone and will be responsible for administering the library research grant program. […]

Sneak Peek of Rare Book School’s Fall 2023 Courses

Rare Book School is pleased to announce three online courses that will be offered this September, October, and November. Check back next week for more details, including how to apply. […]

Curator of Maps and Graphics — Clements Library, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor

The William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is looking for a full-time Curator of Maps and Graphics. Reporting to the Director of the Clements Library, this position will be responsible for collection development, conservation, and access for maps and graphic arts materials in the Clements collections. Required qualifications include: 1) an M.A. in Art History, American Studies, Media Studies, History, Geography, Literature, or related areas, or an M.L.I.S. from an ALA-accredited library school with 4-plus years of experience working with graphic & map materials; and 2) knowledge of or experience with current practices and standards related to the identification, […]

American Antiquarian Society Lecture: “Caterina Jarboro, the 1898 Wilmington Riot, and the Challenges of the Archive”

The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) invites you to attend a free, hybrid event, “Caterina Jarboro, the 1898 Wilmington Riot, and the Challenges of the Archive,” which will take place both online and in person at AAS’s Antiquarian Hall, on Wednesday 19 July at 7:00 p.m. ET. Admission is free, but registration is required for both virtual and in-person attendance. For more information and to register, click here. […]

Rare Book School Shares Summer 2023 Lecture Series

Rare Book School is thrilled to announce the lineup for this summer’s lecture series at the University of Virginia, as well as special lectures at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and the Grolier Club in New York City.

All lectures are free and open to the public. Unless noted, these talks will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET. Lectures are 30–40 minutes in length with approximately 10 minutes for Q&A, and will be followed by a reception. RSVPs are not required. Lecture recordings will be made available by fall 2023. […]

Announcing the 2023–25 RBS-Mellon SoFCB Junior Fellows

The Andrew W. Mellon Society of Fellows in Critical Bibliography (SoFCB) at Rare Book School is pleased to welcome its 2023–25 cohort of Junior Fellows. Many congratulations to all the new Junior Fellows; we look forward to seeing you at RBS!

The names and institutional affiliations of 2022–24 RBS-Mellon SoFCB Junior Fellows are:

Jiayi Chen – Ph.D. Candidate, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago

Du Fei – Ph.D. Candidate, Department of History, Cornell University

Heng Du – Andrew W. […]

Virginia Museum of History & Culture Event: “British Virginia—A Digital Humanities Project”

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) invites you to attend a free, in-person event, “British Virginia—A Digital Humanities Project,” which will take place at the VMHC on Tuesday 25 April at 4:00 p.m. ET. Admission is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.  […]