Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann
Telephone: (513-556-1955)
Email: don.tolzmann@uc.edu
1. To provide an introduction to the history of books and libraries from ancient times to the present with particular emphasis on their growth and development in the U.S., from the beginnings to the present.
2. To gain a familiarity of the basic dates, facts, and events relating to the development of books and libraries, as well as a sense of their historical evolution.
3. To gain an understanding of the extent to which libraries are an integral part of the cultures in which they arise, and that libraries have always been involved in social, political, and economic affairs.
4. In looking at the development of libraries and books and their historical development, we shall also try to gain historical perspective with regard to the present status of libraries and their probable developments and directions in the future.
Frederick G. Kilgour, The Evolution of the Book.
Don Heinrich Tolzmann, The Memory of Mankind.
Not required, but helpful: a history of civilization, e.g.: Robin W. Winks et al., A History of Civilization…9th ed. (1996). Vol. 1 covers the time period to 1648, and vol. 2 the period thereafter.
WEEK ONE:
Topics: Introduction
The Origins of Libraries
WEEK TWO:
No class
Readings: K, 1-3
WEEK THREE:
Topics: Books & Libraries in Antiquity
Readings: T, 1; K, 4-5
WEEK FOUR:
Topics: View and discuss the video on the Alexandrian Library
Assignment: Complete video review for next week
Readings: T, 2-3; K, 6
WEEK FIVE:
Topics: Medieval Books & libraries
Readings: T, 4-5; K, 7
WEEK SIX:
Topics: European Books & Libraries
Discuss preliminary thoughts on report topics
Readings: T, 6-7; K, 8-9
WEEK SEVEN:
Visit: UC Archives & Rare Books Library
Readings: T, 8-9; K, 10
WEEK EIGHT:
Topics: American Books and Libraries
Readings: T, 10-11; K, 11-12
WEEK NINE:
Midterm Exam
WEEK TEN:
Topics: Library and book history report topics
Assignment: Distribute and discuss thesis statement with a preliminary outline (see part VII of the course syllabus)
WEEK ELEVEN:
Visit: The Lloyd Library
WEEK TWELVE:
Topics: View and discuss the video of Nicholson Baker
Assignment: Complete video review for next week
WEEK THIRTEEN:
Topics: Report presentations
WEEK FOURTEEN:
Topics: Report presentations
WEEK FIFTEEN:
Topics: Report presentations
Assignment: Reports due at this session
40% - Midterm
40% - Research paper report
10% - Video Reviews
10% - Participation
1. Topics: Select a topic from the field of Library and Book History and prepare a report (ca. 15 pages).
2. Diana Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference. 4th ed. (1999) notes: “Before you begin writing, you should decide on a tentative thesis and construct a preliminary outline. Remain flexible, however, because you may need to revise your approach later. Writing about a subject is a way of learning about it; as you write, your understanding of your subject will almost certainly deepened.”
3. Basic elements of the paper:
a. The Introduction: This should state the purpose of the paper and review what research has been done on the topic.
b. The Report: Review and analysis of the topic.
c. The Conclusions: Summarize your conclusions and state recommendations as to future possible areas of research.
4. Possible topics: See the textbooks, as well as the attached selective bibliography.