Rare Book Collections Research Articles

History in context: teaching the history of dentistry with rare materials.

History and health humanities instruction offers a framework for professional students to examine the arc and development of their profession as well as develop cultural competencies. Exploring ideas, themes, and health care practices and approaches through historical instruction can show students how culture influences health care and practice, therefore providing a context for further development of cultural competence skills. This case report describes a collaboration among a dentistry course instructor, a liaison librarian, and curators of a rare book collection. Working together, this team offers an active learning class that examines the historical arc of the dental profession. We aim to have students use primary source materials to examine the experiences, research, and narratives of their profession. Using a World Cafe with thematic tables allows students to safely examine rare materials and artifacts and have meaningful conversations about themes that are critical to dentistry's past, present, and future. Students reported that engaging with artifacts and historical materials provided a different way to understand history and enhanced their learning experience. Engaging students in this work builds critical thinking skills that are essential to evidence-based practice.

An Exploration of An Introduction to the Latin Tongue

Books are more than texts: as cultural and historical objects they speak to us beyond the words printed on their pages. The physical and material aspects of a book can tell us much about its production, use, and unique life story. This bibliographical study examines an 18th-century book on Latin language learning, held in the rare book collection of the John M. Kelly Library at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. Taking Philip Gaskell’s A New Introduction to Bibliography, first published in 1972, and other bibliographic literature as the key theoretical foundation, this paper systematically explores the book’s material aspects including paper, binding, user signs, and print errors. This paper listens to what the object has to say, allowing it to divulge clues about how this specific book copy was created, used, and preserved. In so doing, it explores the wider benefits that material studies have to offer for book historians.

Physical condition survey of a rare book collection: a case study of “X” Museum Library in Jakarta, Indonesia

Purpose Rare book collections are special, not only in terms of their physical appearance but also because of their historical significance and the information they contain. The purpose of this study is twofold: to identify the physical condition of rare book collections and to determine the main causes of damage to rare books collection that belongs to a museum library in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This research involved conducting a survey of the physical condition of the collection of rare books owned by a museum library in Indonesia. Supporting data was also obtained through interviews with one of the staff who served as the museum collection conservator. This study used random sampling to take samples from the collection, which consisted of 950 rare books, with total sample of 91. Findings The results obtained state that the condition of the existing rare book collection is classified as severely damaged. One of the causes of damage that can be addressed immediately is the cleaning regime: the collection and library space should be cleaned thoroughly and regularly so that dust and dirt in and around the rare book collection can be reduced. Research limitations/implications This research was limited to physical identification, which can be done easily because it does not require various kinds of laboratory tests. It was a case study examining a single collection in a single museum library. The pool of books from which the samples were taken was therefore relatively homogenous. Therefore, it is hoped that further research can identify other factors and types of damage in more detail so that all damage to rare book collections can be identified and mitigated. Originality/value Research discussing the condition of rare book collections, especially for special libraries in museums in Indonesia, is still very limited. Detailed surveys of the physical condition of collections, especially rare book collections in museums, have rarely been discussed by previous research. The work will contribute to assessing the physical condition of rare book collections.

Coverage in the periodical press of tsarist Russia of the colonial policy on the Kazakh land

Relevance. In 1867, newspapers, magazines and books published in many languages around the world began to collect materials about Central Asia as a whole, including the Turkestan region and Kazakhstan. This work was carried out until 1939 with interruptions, as a result of which a very large and scientifically significant �Turkestan Collection� was compiled with a total volume of 594 volumes. The collection is kept in the collection of rare manuscripts and books of the National Library of Uzbekistan �Alisher Navoi�, includes journalistic materials of various genres published in newspapers and magazines not only in tsarist Russia, but also in other foreign countries.Purpose. This paper aims to analyze the coverage of Russian colonial policies in Kazakhstan as documented in the �Turkestan Collection�, emphasizing how this body of work reflects and influences historical perceptions.Methodology. An extensive review of journalistic materials from the �Turkestan Collection� was conducted, focusing on articles published in Russian newspapers and magazines from 1867 to 1939. The materials include a wide range of genres and reflect both Russian and foreign perspectives on the events in the region.Results. The analysis reveals that the �Turkestan Collection� primarily portrays the Russian colonial endeavors in a positive light, often diminishing the significance of local resistance and the negative impacts of colonization. The collection was influenced by the political climate of the time and served as a tool for Russian propaganda.Conclusions. The �Turkestan Collection� serves as a significant historical resource that offers insights into Russian colonial policies and their portrayal in the media. However, its biased representation underlines the importance of critical analysis when using such collections for historical research, emphasizing the need to balance these accounts with other sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical events in Central Asia.

Network of literary museums in Moscow: formation and present condition in the context of the historical and cultural process

The network of literary museums in Moscow is the largest in the country. The article examines the history of the formation and present condition of the network of literary museums in the capital in the context of the historical and cultural process. The chronological framework covers the period from the 19th century until now. This is due to the moment of the appearance in Moscow of the first proto-museum forms of literary museums, the first museums of this profile, as well as the formation and development of their network. Significant historical and cultural prerequisites for the emergence of museums of this profile are identified. The main periods in the history of the formation and development of the network of literary museums are considered in the context of the periodization of the history of museum affairs and the historical process in the country. Museums that also have characteristics of another profile, such as historical and literary, literary and artistic, and literary and local history, are also considered. The total number of literary museums in Moscow has been identified, including state, municipal, departmental, public, private and school. Museum-type institutions representing and popularizing literary heritage are shown. Museums of other profiles (music, art, local history and others) are indicated, the funds and exhibitions of which contain literary monuments and collections of rare books. A special place is occupied by book museums, which are not literary museums, but are close to them in that their collections also contain monuments of literature (including fiction). The total number of literary museums in the capital and their percentage in the museum network have been calculated.

Collection quality analysis at the Animal Husbandry Library, Universitas Padjadjaran

The library has the quality in the service in the collection of the library. Enhancing library service quality is paramount to ensure users derive greater satisfaction and value. The Faculty of Animal Husbandry Library, Universitas Padjadjaran, has special collection in the animal husbandry science can access students, lecturer, and staff. The purposes this research knew the collection quality analysis at the Animal Husbandry Library, Universitas Padjadjaran, with analyse of the physical and digital library collections’ at the Faculty of Animal Husbandry Library, Universitas Padjadjaran. The research method used a descriptive quantitative methodology using a survey with 132 participating respondents. The participants comprised students enrolled in the faculty, represented by every academic year, from incoming students to those in their final year. The study procedure encompassed problem identification, questionnaire design, participant selection, questionnaire distribution, and survey data handling. The collected survey data were analyzed descriptively and graphically displayed for simplicity in data interpretation. The survey questions were categorized into four evaluative themes: collection diversity, collection completeness, collection currentness, and collection condition. The outcomes indicated consistent satisfaction from the respondents regarding the evaluated areas. Several recommendations were proposed regarding the physical collection of rare books in sub-optimal conditions. In conclusion, users express satisfaction with the diversity, completeness, timeliness, and condition of both physical and digital collections in the Animal Husbandry Faculty Library, Universitas Padjadjaran. Regular assessment of user satisfaction is necessary as a roadmap for augmenting the quality of library services.

Developing publishing industry in Turkestan at the turn of the 20<sup>th</sup> century

The authors attempt the comprehensive study of developing publishing industry in the Turkestan region after accession to the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19-th century. The study is based on the periodicals, research papers, archival materials related to the period under study. The authors summarize information on the first printing houses, bookstores and their owners in the materials available from the rare book and manuscript collections of the National Library of Uzbekistan, the Fundamental Library of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Central State Archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The authors emphasize that despite private publishing houses and printing houses were then established in Turkestan, the book publications by government institutions, departments, scientific and cultural societies prevailed. The authors conclude that the enhancement of the publishing industry in the end of the 19-th century was stipulated by the increasing population demand for printed products, as well as by the increasing demand for printed advertising products owing to the growth of industry and trade. The authors describe the evolution of the book distribution system within the socio-economic and cultural processes in the regional in society. The authors argue that the book distribution in the region combined with the principles of entrepreneurship and enlightenment, while the involvement of the regional administration in the management of this industry was insignificant.

Primary Source Instruction in Theological Libraries Through Rare Book Collections

This paper addresses how students perceive primary sources instruction in the credit-bearing information literacy labs and explores the implications of this pedagogical practice on the development of students’ understanding of research. Through collaboration with the course instructor, library labs instructor, and Chief Librarian, the students visited the Rare Book Room and interacted with the rare and unique material as part of their course curriculum. The authors completed a thematic analysis of students’ reflections, exploring the impact of this visit on their research journey and their perceptions of how primary source instruction has impacted their understanding of other topics covered in the course. The authors share their lessons learned and recommendations for those who would like to adopt a similar practice at their institutions.

Collections of Manuscripts and Rare Publications in Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT This article reviews the history of collections of manuscripts and rare books in the Arabic script in the Republic of Kazakhstan, including how they took shape, their contents, and their scholarly significance. These collections are considered part of the national heritage and are a valuable resource for studying the history and culture of the Kazakh people. Manuscript books and old printed publications, as well as private collections of valuable books, are additional subjects of interest. The unique materials drawn from these sources make it possible to study the cultural processes and particularities of Islamic civilization in Central Asia.

In the Shadow of the Palms: The Selected Works of David Eugene Smith

In the Shadow of the Palms: The Selected Works of David Eugene Smith

Book Heritage in the Collection of the National Museum of the Komi Republic

The Scientific Library of the National Museum of the Komi Republic is one of the oldest libraries in the region. For more than 110 years of its history, a unique book collection has been formed, containing rare printed editions of the mid-18th - early 20th centuries from private collections of famous scientists, public figures, writers, teachers, as well as books and periodicals of scientific, educational and other government institutions of both the Komi region and Russia. The purpose of the article is to outline the main stages in the history of the Scientific Library of the National Museum of the Komi Republic collection, designed to identify and expose its unique rare editions for visitors.The first stage (1911-1919) is connected with the activities of the Ust-Sysolsk local historians and the Arkhangelsk Society for the Study of the Russian North, the second (1920-1930) was conducted by the Society for the Study of the Komi Territory. The third stage is limited by the period of the Great Patriotic War. Archaeographic expeditions for to collect handwritten books and early printed publications became significant for the fourth (1960s-1970s) period.In 2011, a new stage began in the life of the library, associated with the transfer of the book stock to the building of the Literary Museum named after I. Kuratov, one of the departments of the museum. When creating the space of the Literary Museum, a special place was assigned to the scientific library: the combination of the educational resource of the exposition and the scientific library with the reading room and book storage. Research activity is one of the main directions in the work of the library. Studies are actively carried out aimed at scientific and bibliographic description and examination of rare editions, identification, attribution and cataloging of book signs. Publications covering the results of researches become the concluding summing up both at the regional and Russian levels. The priority direction is a wide demonstration of their collections using computer technologies, which contributes to the expansion of opportunities for public access to rare book collections and allows expanding the list of visitors.

Shaping the past: how donors influenced Becker Library's rare book collections.

Rare book collections do not form in a vacuum; they are shaped by the individuals who assemble and curate them. This is certainly the case with the rare book holdings of Becker Medical Library at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. This paper examines some of the most significant donors to Becker's rare book collections in order to explore how these collections are a reflection of the interests and priorities of the physicians who assembled them, and also raises the issue of how the makeup of these collections create a Western-focused narrative regarding the history of medicine.

The Rare Book Collection of the Library of the Italian National Institute of Health: from the past to the present

The Library of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), the Italian National Institute of Health, is the main library for public health and biomedical research in Italy and holds a small but valuable special collection of ancient books. Known as the Rare Book Collection, this fund consists of over 1200 scientific printed volumes published between the XVI and the XIX century. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the challenges and the process undertaken by the Library to share and digitalize this Collection.

‘Oriental Culture Nucleus’: The P. M. Suski Collection of Chinese Rare Books at the University of Southern California

Abstract Dr Peter Marie Suski was born in Japan but migrated to the United States in 1898. He practiced as a physician in southern California but had a lifelong interest in the languages of East Asia and put together a valuable collection of books, which was donated to the University of Southern California in 1962. Revealing a little-known treasure at USC, this paper traces Suski’s life and book collecting through his autobiography and correspondence, and examines the subject coverage, research value and rarity of his collection of Chinese rare books. Several rare and special editions of Chinese rare book titles are highlighted in the paper, such as a 1618 manuscript copy of Shimo Juanhua 石墨鐫華, a 1748 palace edition of Yuanjian Leihan 淵鑑類函, and an 1825 first impression of Zijian 字鑑, all of which are featured in the USC Libraries online exhibit “Eastern Culture Nucleus: Chinese Rare Books in the USC Libraries (https://scalar.usc.edu/works/chinese-rare-books/index).”

Владельцы личных библиотек и книжная культура Туркестанского края на рубеже XIX - XX веков

The article is devoted to the owners of personal libraries in the Turkestan region at the turn of the XIX – early XX centuries, who made a significant contribution to the foundation of the Turkestan Public Library and development of book culture in general. The purpose of the article is to consider peculiarities of book culture as well as the owners’ personalities, history of the formation of their personal libraries, the repertoire and the degree of their study. Information about personal libraries and their owners is pro-vided on materials from the collections of rare books and manuscripts of the National Library of Uzbeki-stan and the Fundamental Library of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The author considers Russian personal libraries as an important element of the national and regional book culture of the region.

Культурно-историческое наследие Армении на языках народов мира в фондах Библиотеки иностранной литературы

The Library for Foreign Literature has carried out work to identify documents thematically related to the cultural and historical heritage of Armenia. More than 500 documents have been identified in 26 languages of the peoples of the world. The rare book collection presents unique publications of European authors of the 17th and 19th centuries about travel, geography and history, linguistics. There are several historical and linguistic books originally from Venice, the city where the national Armenian printing originated in 1512. The recipients of the collected information are libraries of Armenia, Centers of Armenian Studies, Armenian diasporas in Russia and other countries. The library accepts orders for the production of digital copies of paper originals. The multilingual nature of the identified documents and the Library’s multifaceted activities in the fields of cultural diplomacy ensure the promotion of Armenia’s cultural and historical heritage in a broad international context.

David Lloyd Roberts (1834–1920), Physician and Gynaecologist

David Lloyd Roberts MRCS LSA MD FRCP FRS.Edin (1834–1920) was a successful Manchester doctor who made significant contributions to the advancement of gynaecology and obstetrics. His career was closely linked to the Manchester St Mary’s Hospital for Women and Children, 1858–1920. He lectured on midwifery at Owens College and the University of Manchester and was gynaecological surgeon to Manchester Royal Infirmary. He had many interests outside medicine, including a large collection of rare books, paintings and antiques. He produced an edition of Thomas Browne’s Religio Medici (1898) and a paper, The Scientific Knowledge of Dante (1914). He donated his books to the John Rylands Library and the London Royal College of Physician, his paintings to the Manchester Art Gallery, and he left a large endowment to Bangor College, Wales. This article reviews his medical work alongside his legacy to literature, the arts and education.

The role of the rare books collection in forming the regional cultural space

The article reviews the experience of the Altai Regional Universal Scientific Library named after V. Ya. Shishkov in organizing the system of cultural and educational events to promote book and reading with the use of the Rare Books Department collection.The author gives examples of specific forms and lines of action: exhibitions and excursions; development of digital collections; book studies and research on the history of librarianship and dissemination of book use in the region; implementation of publishing projects; formation of compatriots’ private libraries; cooperation with mass media, and others.Making rare books a part of major library activities: exhibitions, presentations and cultural events helps to extend the library reputation as a custodian of the book heritage and a place of intellectual leisure.Creation of informational resources – electronic collections makes combines the efforts of various organizations and individuals to preserve history and culture and form the image of the region in the global information space. Promotion of rare books in the mass media ensures targeting a wider audience of potential readers.Local history cultural and educational informing is realized through researches, disclosing the history of book existence in the region and books publishing provides an opportunity to access historical sources freely for everyone. Modern approaches to replenishing rare books collections – the formation of personal libraries, studying them and presenting the results in the field of literary and historical research is a significant contribution to the further development of bibliology. The author comes to the conclusion that the library makes active use of the opportunities for disclosing and promoting the rare books collection with the aim of forming the regional cultural space.

Collection of Handwritten and Old Printed Books of the XVI–XX Centuries and Rare Editions of the Library Yekaterinburg Theological Seminary

The article presents the results of studying the collection of rare books and manuscripts of the library of the Yekaterinburg Theological Seminary. The characteristics of the collection and the history of its formation are given. The collection was based on the book fund of the Sverdlovsk Diocesan Administration and books from private donations. The collection of handwritten books includes four copies of the XVI century: the Ostrog Bible and three editions of Andronik Timofeyev Ignorant – Apostle in 1597 and two Octoechos (2nd part) in 1594. There are more than forty editions of the XVII century in the fund: mainly of the Moscow Printing Yard and three “Lithuanian” ones – the “disgraced” teaching Gospel by Cyril Tranquillion, 1619; Synopsis by Innokenty Gizel, 1680; Oktoikh of the second half of the XVII century. The earliest manuscript is the Gospel of 1630-1660, compiled in Galicia, with numerous notes of the owner. The XVIII century is mainly represented by Old Believers’ liturgical and reading (“chetyi”) collections of mixed composition. Collections with canons, akathists, and liturgical charters predominate among the manuscripts of the XIX century. Orthodox written tradition of the XIX–XX centuries is represented by educational literature and musical scores. The result of the research will be the preparation of catalogues of handwritten books of the XVII–XX centuries and books of the old printing of the XVI–XVII centuries from the library collection.

Collections of rare books by branches of knowledge in University libraries

Collections of rare books by branches of knowledge in University libraries