94-06-21 Experts Will Look at the History and the Future of the Printed Book at Annual Rare-book Program

Reporters, Editors:  This program offers unusual opportunities for feature
stories about books.

EXPERTS WILL LOOK AT THE HISTORY AND THE FUTURE OF THE PRINTED
BOOK AT ANNUAL RARE-BOOK PROGRAM

     The long history of the printed book will be the subject of intense
study as some 300
book experts convene for the annual Books at Virginia/Rare Book School July
5-30.  They will
also be discussing what the electronic future holds for books.
     The program, directed by U.Va. professor and book historian Terry
Belanger, will draw
university librarians, archivists, book dealers, collectors and conservators
to work with a wide
range of visiting specialists from this country and Europe, most of them
leading authorities in
their fields.  An array of hands-on courses will focus on numerous subjects
related to book
production, rare books, manuscripts and special collections.
     Typical courses, which will feature many rare and unusual materials from
over the
centuries, will treat such subjects as medieval bookbinding, Latin
manuscripts, early book
illustrations, history of the printed book, the book in the industrial era,
and collecting travel
literature.
     And with far-reaching changes on the horizon as a result of electronic
communications,
Rare Book School also will offer courses on electronic texts, conversion of
printed records to
electronic formats, and worldwide resources available on the Internet.
     The Rare Book School courses run for five days each, with about 75
persons attending
each week.  In addition to classes there will be evening lectures on books
and publishing. 
Courses will be taught at the Book Arts Press in Alderman Library, a special
laboratory
collection of materials related to books and printing, and will make use of
the library's renowned
rare book collections, as well as extensive electronic facilities.
     For interviews or to arrange coverage contact Terry Belanger at Alderman
Library at
(804) 924-8851.

Karen A. Castle
University News Office
kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu
(804) 924-7116


[Submitted by: Karen A. Castle  (kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
               Thu, 14 Jul 94 16:20:07 EDT]