RBMS 1997 Preconference

The 38th annual Preconference will be held at The Claremont Colleges in southern California, June 24-27, 1997. Entitled "Rereading the Past: New Methodologies and Approaches to the History of the Book," the Preconference will look at how research in the history of the book has developed since the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section first looked at the subject at the 1980 RBMS Preconference, "Books and Society in History." No longer the sole purview of the bibliographer and the scholar-librarian, the field has expanded in ways that many rare book librarians may not yet realize. Scholars from many disciplines have entered the field and have given new meaning and purpose to the subject of the history of the book, changing the way we will view the "Book Age."

How does this new scholarship affect rare book and manuscript librarians and curators? And how will it influence collection development, programming, cataloging, teaching, and scholarly research?

The RBMS 1997 Preconference program will look at the new history of the book, hear some of its most innovative scholars, examine ways in which librarians can take advantage of this burgeoning field for their own use and development, and discuss ways of servicing this interest. Scheduled speakers will include Robert Gross, Jeffrey Groves, Rosalind Remer, Steve Ferguson, and Ellen Dunlap. In addition, there will be a series of short paper presentations on research in the history of the book primarily by members of RBMS.

The Preconference will also include a variety of seminars, selected by the RBMS Seminars Committee, on subjects that both complement and contrast with the Preconference theme.

A seminar on "Supporting Teaching and Research in The History of the Book" will examine the impact of this current scholarly interest on special collections librarianship. The session will explore teaching the history of the book in conjunction with a rare book library, the provision of public services, and an overview of www resources useful to librarians and academic researchers. Moderated by Daniel J. Slive, the session will include presentations by Alain Veylit, Richard W. Oram, and John Bloomberg-Rissman.

In "History of Science, Technology and Medicine Collections: Development, Promotion, and Building Constituencies" panelists will address three key challenges facing history of science, technology and medicine collections: collection development and management, promotion of collections, and building and responding to our constituency. Margaret R. O'Brien will moderate a panel including Bruce Cammack, Lois Fischer Black, and William E. Baxter.

Exhibition loans will be the topic of a presentation organized by Theresa Salazar. Renee Montgomery will discuss the purpose and value of facilities reports, loan agreements, and condition reports. Cathy Henderson will provide information on environmental standards for exhibitions (light levels, temperature, and relative humidity). Nancy Turner will review the evaluation of objects for exhibition and loan, including handling and conservation issues: packing, book structure and degree of opening, making your own cradles, case design and sealing, making a microclimate in an exhibit case. Mary Ellen Conway will focus on transportation and insurance, international loans, and working through customs.

A review of history-of-the-book projects in the English-speaking world will be discussed in a seminar organized by Bruce Whiteman. Michel Brisebois will talk about projects in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; Robert Gross will discuss the American effort, and Richard Landon will review projects in Britain, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Based on their work at the University of North Carolina, Tim Pyatt and Elizabeth Chenault have organized a session on collecting and interpreting publisher's archives. Outreach efforts, including exhibitions, classroom and public presentations, and the establishment of a Faculty Working Group on Print Culture, will be described.

"Preserving the Nation's Past: The United States Newspaper Program" will give an overview of where we are now and the history of the project, including presentations by Henry Snyder and Lynne Hayman on bibliography and access; Steve Stappenback on preservation; and Marilyn P. Fletcher on impact.

"Internet Resources for the Rare Book Cataloger" will be the subject of a seminar organized by Eric Holzenberg. Seminar presenters will demonstrate some Internet sites and services of potential interest to members of the rare book cataloging community. The discussion and demonstrations will include online library catalogs and how to search them, online rare book cataloging and policy manuals from various institutions, and special-interest web sites on watermarks, bindings, and other topics of cataloging and bibliographical interest.

"Cancellantia in the 90s: Three Bibliographic Works in Progress," organized by Everett Wilkie, will introduce three significant projects currently underway in descriptive bibliography. Presenters will be Donald Farren, Kenneth Carpenter, and Brett Charbeneau.

In "Medieval Manuscripts in a Digital Age," Hope Mayo, Melissa Conway, and a representative of the Electronic Scriptorium will report on three projects designed to enhance access to medieval and renaissance manuscripts, addressing problems of locating materials, cataloging them and using digital imaging as a tool for paleographic investigations.

Events currently scheduled include receptions, campus and local tours, a hand printing workshop at the Scripps College Press, a mini-book fair with members of the Southern California Chapter of the ABAA participating, and a trip to UC-Riverside featuring the ESTC. June 26 will be spent at the Huntington Library with Preconference sessions enhanced by tours of the Library, Galleries and Gardens. Dinner in several of Old Town Pasadena's acclaimed restaurants will cap off the day.

Meeting facilities and housing accommodations will be centered on the adjacent campuses of Scripps and Claremont McKenna Colleges. The Scripps College campus, designed in the 1920's in the "California style," has been described as one of "uplifting and breathtaking" beauty. Preconference particpants staying in one of the Scripps residence halls listed on the National Register of Historic Places will feel that they are visitors in a comfortable and elegant large home. In contrast, rooms in the modern CMC dorms provide both single and double accommodations. Also available at CMC are a few student apartments with kitchens and suitable for families. For those who prefer commercial housing, the Claremont Inn is within easy walking distance.

A small college town, Claremont claims a nearby charming village area with shops, art galleries, and restaurants. In additon to early morning walks in the town's scenic, historic residential areas, recreation facilities include a golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts, a new exercise facility, and outdoor tracks. Nearby are trails at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and on Mt. Baldy.

Within a two hour's drive area are nearly fifty ABAA booksellers, countless acedemic, public, and private libraries, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and in the desert, Palm Springs and the magnificent Joshua Tree National Park. An hour away from Claremont are beaches, professional sports stadiums, museums, performing arts venues, television and movie studios, theme parks, and world-class shopping areas.

Preconference participants who wish to see more of southern California should start making plans for personal or family vacations after the Preconference. (Early and late stays in the residence halls can be arranged.) Early birds wishing information on local arrangements can reach Judy Harvey Sahak, Local Arrangements Chair, at jharveysahak@rocky.claremont.edu.

Registration is $175 for RBMS members, $210 for nonmembers. Late registration, after May 15, will be $225 for members and $265 for non-members. Additional fees will be charged for workshops. Housing and some meals are not included in the registration fee. Claremont is located east of Los Angeles, and is a 20-minute drive from the Ontario, CA, airport.

Registration material will be available after March 1, 1997. For more information please contact ACRL, c/o ALA, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2795 (1-800-545-2433, ext. 2511)