@behindthespines
Rare books curator and historic libraries fan. Works in archives and special collectons at Durham University (UK), currently leading on the development of our academic teaching offer. Personal views only.
And we’re LIVE! This episode of #BiteSizedBookHistory is all about bookbinding, and how judging a book by its cover can tell you about its history and where it came from. youtu.be/3aUdEy0Edf4?...
If you missed Ann Blair’s @ransomcenter.bsky.social Pforzheimer Lecture last night, you can check it out on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/live/u16QHaI...
I think you’ll agree that it’s both sharp and a lot of fun.
The Sharps are a really interesting family. The family library (what survives of it) is now owned by the Lord Crewe's Charity is on deposit with @ducollections.bsky.social (pre1850 printed books and mss) and @durhamcathedral.bsky.social (printed and ms music) 📖📜
All 3 depending on the time of day and caffeine levels in the system!
Hello Bluesky! We're an interdisciplinary project on the teaching of palaeography and codicology, and we're now branching out to include early printed books. Check out our website for lots of learning resources: teachingthecodex.com
hello. if you work at a university please ask your library to buy my book. it is all about books and libraries and also plants, museums, the Royal Society, and the ways we learn. I think it will be interesting to lots of people, hopefully. thank you www.cambridge.org/gb/universit...
One immediate action item following our "Building BookLabs" symposium was to establish a mailing list where folks running/founding/dreaming up book labs & adjacent initiatives can share resources, opportunities, events, & other materials—if you’d like to be connected sign up at the link below!
Two leaves from the famous book of hours of the Duke of Berry, displayed upright as part of an exhibition celebrating the restoration of the manuscript. One leaf is showing a handcoloured image of the month of September, with a grape harvest in front of a castle. The other leaf is the calendar for November with saints days.
Serious geeking out today at Chantilly: exhibition about (and with!) Les très riches heures du duc de Berry. Some amazing manuscripts on display...
Usual British railchaos going back up north from London...
Close up of a bee on a bluebell flower. Text over reads, Nature can't afford a pay cut
Many farmers are already showing that farms can be profitable and nature-friendly. But they can’t do it alone.
Alongside the RSPB, we’re calling on the UK Government to invest in nature-friendly farming.
Together we can help grow a brighter future for our wildlife, our farmers, and all of us.
ESTC is back online in a new beta version hosted by CERL: datb.cerl.org/estc/ #RareBooks #BookHistory #Skystorians #GLAM 📚📜
Just because I am not surprised does not mean I'm not angry. Carla Hayden, like every other *actually qualified federal worker* that has been shamefully treated in this unconscionable manner deserves better. www.npr.org/2025/05/09/g...
This article www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/cuts... by @heroicendeavour.bsky.social is pretty fabulous and well worth a read if you're in Higher Ed. 📚
On what is a really difficult day, here are some resources for our trans friends and allies.
Solidarity 💜
goodlawproject.org/resource/sup...
Early modern book people: I'm writing about how readers used errata lists and corrected errors in books they bought. Is there good work on errata lists and correcting the material text (after the book is printed and sold)?
📣 Shakespeare Recovered: Durham's First Folio exhibition is now open to the public!
Free entry but advance booking strongly recommended 👍
Find out more and book your tickets via the link below 👇
@durham-university.bsky.social
#Shakespeare #FirstFolio #Exhibition
Early modern libraries conference! #EarlyModern #BookHistory
I spy the beautiful poster design work of @samuscript.bsky.social
Colour photograph of exhibition guides on an antique wooden desk. The exhibition guides are titled 'Shakespeare Recovered'.
Tonight is the Night! Counting down until the opening night of our Shakespeare Recovered Exhibition! Come and learn the story of Durham's First Folio!
Opens to the public 4th April - free entry
Book Tickets here:
www.durham.ac.uk/things-to-do...
I'm looking for references to the smell of death, decay, and cadavers in the early modern period. Any pointers would be much appreciated!
That would be amazing, thanks!!
I don't have access to this article unfortunately, but it looks worth a read! It's always good to ask questions about practices we take for granted, even if they might be considered provocative.
Photograph of Cosin’s Library with the text “Something is Coming” in the bottom left corner. Library has wooden floors with bookcases along the walls, a balcony, two portraits and large windows. A museum case with a book on display is in the centre of the library.
Illustration of William Shakespeare with the text “Shakespeare Recovered” on the left side and bottom left corner of the image. Behind the illustration is a bookcase from Cosin’s Library.
Shakespeare Recovered: Durham’s First Folio
Opening 4th April-Cosin’s Library
The story of our First Folio after its theft and the work of our Conservation Team making it accessible again. Visit to experience a book as you’ve never seen one before.
Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shakespear...
A human person interacting with a mailbox, through the medium of putting an envelope in it.
Operation Ballot CONTINUES. A reminder to Durham UCU members: get your vote in, and tell us you've gotten your vote in :)
Under ultraviolet in a darkened room, an inscription clearly visible.
In daylight, the same inscription very faded.
Good instance of the occasional magic of ultraviolet.
We are hiring at St John's! We have an opening for an Early Career Librarian post, 3 year fixed term, salary £27,786, and as part of the role the College will pay the successful candidate's fees and give them day release to undertake a Masters' degree in Librarianship. www.joh.cam.ac.uk/vacancies
Come hang out with me, @uclspeccoll.bsky.social and @sladeschoolucl.bsky.social as our first ever Small Press in Residence. £5,000 to spend flexibly, access to collections, and some super facilities: blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...
Looking forward to the online #EMROCTranscribes panel on 7 March (5-6 pm UK/12-1 EST): Women Talking, Women's Health. We will answer questions about #EarlyModern women's health. Details on booking here: emroc.hypotheses.org/transcribath... #WomensHistoryMonth +
Hi there!
We are the Society for the History of Authorship, Reading, and Publishing. Our members promote research in the history of the book including manuscript culture, print, digital technologies + beyond.
Follow to connect with bookish scholarship from around the world + across time periods.
Are there any rare book-focused special collections librarians experimenting with or systematizing sustainable stewardship practices in line with OCLC’s Total Cost of Stewardship?
www.oclc.org/research/pub...
