Project Update 13 - Sydney University and witchcraft

This week I have been working through 9 boxes of files from previous Rare books and special collections activities which have been stored in Rare book stack for years - probably since the move in 1988! One of the boxes contained records from exhibitions held at the Library through the 1970s and 1980s. In 1973 the Special Collections Librarian was also the Exhibitions Officer at the Library.
On Wednesday I went to Sydney University to speak to the Rare Books Librarian, Neil Boness. Neil was the Rare Books Librarian at the State Library before moving to the University in 1991.
The Sydney University Rare books website includes details on access, treasures and research guides. One of the interesting electronic exhibitions is Witchcraft, Demonology and the Inquisition.

There are a number of witchcraft books in the SRL rare books collection. A Confirmation and Discovery of witchcraft was written by John Stearne and published in 1648 ( RB/1900). John Stearne was an assistant to Matthew Hopkins, the self titled "Witch-Finder General". In one year,between 1645 -6, the pair were responsible for over 200 deaths in witch hunts carried out throughout the eastern counties of England. This copy is extremely rare as it includes a hand-written note by the author, John Stearne.

Botanicus diversion

The Botanicus Digital Library aims to improve access to scientific literature, by creating a freely accessible, Web-based encyclopedia of digitized 18th and 19th century botanical literature from the Missouri Botanical Garden Library. This site provides access to digitised images of important botanical works incorporating many of the features that we discuss on a regular basis - watermarking, keyword searching, appropriate meta data, copyright information. It also uses Web2 functionality to improve access through subject tag clouds, google mapping, worldcat links, RSS feeds and a blog which provides not just the latest news but background on digitisation techniques, equipment and issues. Lose yourself for while in this site. Find some titles (eg. Les liliacees by P.J. Redoute) that link directly to the State Library of NSW holdings.

A smelly diversion

Experts seek cure for books....
A researcher from Strathclyde University has teamed up with the British Library to design a method of "smelling" the chemicals given off by decaying paper, hoping the technique will lead to an easy way to test the "health" of valuable or ancient books and ensure their survival.

Project Update 12 - Trends in rare book collection management

I am currently reading Trends in the rare book & documents special collections management report from the Primary Research Group in New York ( NQ 025.196/2). This study documents the results of interviews undertaken in November and December 2007. It profiles the efforts of academic, public and special libraries to develop, manage and market their special rare book and document collections. The institutions profiled in the report include Boston College, the Newberry Library, The San Antonio Public Library, Trinity College, San Jose State University, Huntington Library, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library and the University of California, Chico. There are some interesting trends and issues included in the report including:

"most collections suffer from a lack of use and awareness by the largest potential audience - the general public or students. A strong web presence, active local programming, and maintaining communication with special interest groups... are crucial to making the collection a valuable, used resource by a younger, less experienced clientele, but are also important in making the collection materials available to researchers."

It's also time to consider rare book contenders for the Heritage Gallery 2009. How about the Art of War? De re militari, RB/SC/610Q, was originally written by Robertus Valturius in ca. 1446-1456. It is the earliest authority on mediaeval machines of war and contains 97 woodcuts of military engines and constructions, many full-page, and numerous woodcut ornamental initials throughout the text. The illustrations include numerous military engines: catapults, rams, cannons, grenades, scaling
ladders, water-raising machines, a clepsydra or water-clock (with 17 hours marked on the dial), bridges, rafts and paddle boats. The work was first printed at Verona in 1472. Our copy, printed in 1535, has some water damage but the illustrations are generally not affected.

Library 2.0 project diversion

Just a note to say that this blog has been a joint venture to communicate and encourage discussion about the Rare books review but also as an investigation of Library 2.0 developments. The Library 2.0 pilot has been completed but the Rare or under done blog? will continue as an element of the Staff Fellowship. So keep logging on and feel free to comment online about any of the entries!

Project update 11 - The Justice Wise collection

Last week the project lost out to activities with the Library's Foundation...although I did spend some time investigating the Justice Wise collection.
In 1865 Justice Wise presented the government with his library of Australian books, pamphlets and manuscripts, in trust, to be placed in a Free Public Library, as soon as one was established
( sounds like a familiar story?) Each book was stamped and then placed in the Australian Museum pending the opening of the proposed library.
The collection was particularly valuable as Justice Wise was one of the earliest collectors to focus on Australiana ( sounds like a familiar story?) At the time the trustees of the Australian Library and Literary Institution ( formerly known as the Australian Subscription Library) devoted their funds to English and European literature.
On 30 September 1869 the Free Public Library of New South Wales opened its doors to the public. On 15 October 1869, the Librarian, Mr R.C. Walker, requested the return of the collection from the trustees of the Australian Museum " in order that they may be placed in this institution for the use and benefit of the Public"
The original collection contained approximately 6,000 items. It is difficult to track the current status of the collection as only in recent years has the presence of the Justice Wise stamp been noted in the catalogue record. We can see from the printed catalogue published in the Australian Museum's annual report of 1865 that the collection held a number of rare and important publications including Barrington's Voyage to New South Wales, Collins' An account of the English colony in New South Wales, Flinders' A voyage to Terra Australis and early editions of the Sydney Gazette.

Description de l'egypte diversion

This week new items were installed in the Heritage Gallery. The Description de L’Egypte is the official record of the activities and discoveries made in Egypt during Napoleon's campaign between 1798 - 1801. You can only see one page at a time from a single volume in this display but go to
Description de L'Egypte online to view all of the images!