News from the Lilly
This summer, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lilly Library of Indiana University, Bloomington, the Library will present a short course on "Reference Sources for Rare Books." This class, which will meet in the Ellison Room of the Library from Monday, July 12, through Friday, July 16, will be taught by Joel Silver, Associate Director and Curator of Books. The course will present a systematic introduction to approximately 350 printed and electronic reference sources for rare books, with emphasis on sources in the fields of early printed books; British and American literature; historical Americana; voyages and travels; maps and atlases; science and medicine; and the book arts.
There will be no tuition charge for the course, but students will be
responsible for covering their own travel and housing expenses. A small
number of stipends of $500 each will be available for librarians, to
help defray their expenses of travel and lodging. There are also three
stipends available for ABAA members. Enrollment in the course is
limited, and application forms are now available (click link above).
According to Silver (well-known to Fine Books readers for his "Beyond the Basics" columns), he taught this course many times, but it hasn't been offered for about ten years. In a recent email to me, Silver described the course: "During the week, we'll go over about 350 different reference sources in some detail, and I'll give the background of the sources, as well as their strengths and weakness, and hints on how to use them." He added, "If it's successful, we may offer it again. I may also do a 'Reference Sources for Americana' course at the Library sometime in the future."
Another part of the 50th anniversary celebration is an exhibit, which opened two days ago and runs through May 8. "Treasures of the Lilly Library" will showcase William Shakespeare's First Folio, George Washington's letter accepting the presidency, Albrecht Durer's Apocalypse, and the first printed edition of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
According to Silver (well-known to Fine Books readers for his "Beyond the Basics" columns), he taught this course many times, but it hasn't been offered for about ten years. In a recent email to me, Silver described the course: "During the week, we'll go over about 350 different reference sources in some detail, and I'll give the background of the sources, as well as their strengths and weakness, and hints on how to use them." He added, "If it's successful, we may offer it again. I may also do a 'Reference Sources for Americana' course at the Library sometime in the future."
Another part of the 50th anniversary celebration is an exhibit, which opened two days ago and runs through May 8. "Treasures of the Lilly Library" will showcase William Shakespeare's First Folio, George Washington's letter accepting the presidency, Albrecht Durer's Apocalypse, and the first printed edition of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
