KU Leuven Libraries Special Collections gives yearly library sessions on manuscripts and rare books to dozens of students of KU Leuven and – at a lesser degree – of UCLouvain. These include introductory sessions on the collection and the activities of Special Collections, mainly for history students, as well as showcases of the rare books and other copies containing the texts students were analysing during the previous months (Dutch, French, Latin, philosophy, history of law). However, we noticed that students tended to hang back when choosing a topic for their bachelor or master paper. To help them overcome their initial hesitation, we decided to organize a speed date with rare books for students in their third year of history, art history or language and literature. This was realized in collaboration with the Flanders Heritage Library, who is responsible (among other things) for the Short Title Catalogue Vlaanderen (STCV).
So, on Monday 25 April 2022, we welcomed eighteen students to give them a taste of possible interesting avenues for book historical research, a speed date experience. After a short introduction, the students circulated in groups of three between six different tables, where each time they could get acquainted with a different perspective on early printed books.
Behind the tables there were five librarians, and one collaborator from the Flanders Heritage Library. The topics during these short 15-minute pitches were: the production of incunabula; the use of the fingerprint; book illustration; the possibilities to produce a master’s thesis based on book bindings; a presentation of bibliographic databases showing in which ways these tools can be used to learn more about printers’ strategies, places of printing, networks of printers and so on; and finally research opportunities in the heritage collection of Special Collections. Before returning home, every student got a goodie bag including some promotional material from KU Leuven Libraries and the Flanders Heritage Library, as well as a brochure with a short presentation of the different topics, including useful references.
As it was the first time we organized such a workshop, we also asked the students for an evaluation. The results can be clustered into three needs. The students were asking for:
- a follow-up workshop in which more time was provided to further explore illustrations, the fingerprint method, book bindings, and databases;
- a more interactive method, where students can work with the material themselves;
- a clear overview of the research already done on these topics and guidance as to what research they could initiate themselves for their master’s thesis on these topics.
The enthusiasm and interest shown by the students incited us to go on. In the autumn of 2022, we organized four hands-on workshops again given by library colleagues, each lasting two to three hours. The workshops were planned for students at the beginning of their fourth year, so they could use this newly acquired knowledge for their master paper on a book historical topic. Taking into consideration the results of the evaluation of the April speed date, these in-depth sessions were dedicated to the following subjects: the physical construction of a rare book: the collation formula; the fingerprint method to identify rare books; book bindings; and graphic techniques in books.
The number of registrations for each workshop varied between 9 and 15, which was the maximum number of participants allowed. But more strikingly, the total number of participants was (only) 20, which means that half of the students were registered for three (7) or even all four sessions (3). Another striking element is that only one student who followed several workshops was also present at the previous speed date. So, although several participants of the speed date said they were very interested in follow up sessions, only one student really did so. Unfortunately, not all registered participants turned up at the sessions, due to illness, extra classes at that moment, or another reason. Most groups were thus smaller than initially thought. That is why we decided in 2023 to send a reminder a few days before every workshop, so that at least we would be sure that the registration was not simply forgotten. However, all teachers were very satisfied with the enthusiasm of the participants. Likewise, a survey filled out by seven students showed that the workshops stimulated their interest in the topic and enhanced their understanding of it. The questions and tasks had the right level of difficulty, and students were happy that they could work actively with authentic material and that there was enough room for questions.
In April 2023 we repeated the speed date for students in their third year. The sessions were the same, with one exception: the pitch on the incunabula was replaced by a more general introduction on the physical construction of a rare book. Unfortunately, only eight students were registered: five studying history, two language and literature, and one art history. There were two cancellations by students of theology, a new group we wanted to engage, as the Maurits Sabbe Library of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Sciences also has an important heritage collection. It is not clear why there were less interested students in 2023 than in 2022, although part of the explanation could be that this year, due to unforeseen circumstances, the mailings to the professors were sent out during the Easter holidays. This might have been a less appropriate moment to reach out to the students. Nevertheless, after the speed date both students and teachers agreed that it was again a very successful event. The goal of getting students enthusiastic for rare books was once more achieved.
We then organised no less than six workshops in the autumn of 2023. In addition to the four sessions of 2022 (the collation formula, the fingerprint method, book bindings, and graphic techniques), we added a visit to Special Collections and the Maurits Sabbe Library, as not all students have had these visits in their curriculum, and a workshop on taking photographs of rare books for their own research, including the topic of metadata. Again, the number of registrations for the individual workshops was lower than in 2022, with three to seven registrations for each workshop, and a total of sixteen participants. And again, despite sending an email a few days before each session, some students did not show up. In one extreme case, only two of the seven registered students attended.
The lower number of registrations at the autumn 2023 workshops was not a good sign, but we decided to give the classes another try. This autumn, we will start with the speed date, followed immediately by the six workshops. We hope that this will attract more speed date students to the workshops. Moreover, all students from the second year onwards can attend.
One last remark: the students did not get any credits for their participation at the speed date or the workshops. We discussed it shortly with the professors of history, but as our public is larger than history students, we decided not to do so. Other reasons were the desire to work with small groups, especially for the workshops, the wish to keep the administrative burden to the absolute minimum, and the possible overlap with existing courses.
To conclude, although we are happy with the enthusiastic reactions of the students who attended the speed dates and workshops, we are still working on the formula. To continue with these endeavours, we would like to reach more students, especially for the speed dates. If you have any suggestions, tips, information on similar activities at your library, please do not hesitate to contact us (bijzonderecollecties@kuleuven.be).
Appendix:
Sessions were given by the following colleagues:
Speeddates 2022-2023
- Tom Eerdeckens (Flemish Heritage Library, graphic material, 2022)
- Diederik Lanoye (KU Leuven Libraries central services, fingerprint, 2022)
- Laura Narli (KU Leuven Libraries central services, physical construction, 2023)
- Dr. An Smets (Special Collections, research, 2022-23)
- Katharina Smeyers (Special Collections, incunabula, 2022)
- Dr. Tjamke Snijders (Special Collections, book bindings, 2022-23)
- Dirk Van Eldere (Special Collections, graphic material, 2023)
- Yannick Van Loon (Maurits Sabbe Library, fingerprint, 2023)
- Dr. Zanna Van Loon (Flemish Heritage Library, databases, 2022)
- Dr. Heleen Wijffels (Flemish Heritage Library, databases, 2023)
Workshops 2022-2023
- Jesse Huiskamp (KU Leuven Libraries central services, photography, 2023)
- Diederik Lanoye (KU Leuven Libraries central services, fingerprint, 2022)
- Laura Narli (KU Leuven Libraries central services, physical construction, 2022-2023)
- Dr. An Smets (Special Collections, library tour, 2023)
- Dr. Tjamke Snijders (Special Collections, library tour, 2023)
- Ludo Vandamme (former curator Public Library Bruges, book bindings, 2022-2023)
- Dirk Van Eldere (Special Collections, graphic material, 2022-2023)
- Yannick Van Loon (Maurits Sabbe Library, library tour and fingerprint, 2023)
- July Van Maldere (formerly KU Leuven Libraries, now KBR, book bindings, 2023)
And for their help with the administration and communication, we would like to thank Charlotte Nackom and Sofie Van Wassenhove (Special Collections).
