Tales from the Library Crypt

November 25, 2021 in Uncategorized

The Research Group Speaks
Episode 3

Tales from the Library Crypt

Bibliographical Quests in a Time of Pandemic

The Series So Far

During a time of pandemic, before in-person events might resume, the RGME aims for some online events.

The Series at which “The Research Group Speaks” online began in July 2021.

Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi, Anonymous, Still Life of an Illuminated Book, German School, 15th century. Oil on Wood. Opened book with fanned pages. Image via Wikimedia, Public Domain.

Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi, Anonymous, German School, 15th century. Image via Wikimedia, Public Domain.

Episode 1

The series commenced with an Interview with our Associate, Barbara Williams Ellertson  (July 2021).

Barbara spoke about the BASIRA Project, its background, and her other interests.  For information about the Project on Books as Symbols in Renaissance Art, its subjects, its scope, and its aims, see https://basiraproject.org.

See Barbara Williams Ellertson and BASIRA, with a Timeline

Episode 2

Next came a Presentation and Demonstration by the food historian Linda Civitello (September 2021).

Linda spoke about the early history of Italian cuisine, especially Cuoco Napolitano, and its ingredients, sources, and influences — for Southern Italian cuisine and beyond. Inspired by the 15th-century sources in manuscript and early printing, Linda described approaches to the subject and gave a demonstration.

See Southern Italian Cuisine Before Columbus.

Episode 3

Then we offered an informal round-table discussion, to compare notes about searching bibliographic materials in a time of pandemic (November 2021).

We call it:  “Tales from the Library Crypt”. Inspired, in part, by episodes of Tales from the Crypt, with books often in view, we recall that in a crypt might reside relics, secrets, and treasures.  Similarly, the vaults of libraries might shelter, or hide, treasures and secrets in its collection. To visitors, or initiates, these contents might become revealed.  Sometimes, they require guides.

Our exploration offers some guided tours, and celebrates resourcefulness and collegiality.  Call them, perhaps, Cryptic Remarks (puns included).
The plan:
Over the past year and more, under exceptional circumstances, there are doubtless to be encountered challenges and disappointments through closures of libraries, access to library resources, and other factors.  But there can also be successes, through serendipity, resourcefulness, friendship, and solidarity across institutions and among wider readership.  Comparing notes might offer tips and guidance.  Commiseration can come in handy.  And the successes are worth celebrating.  There are stories to tell.
For example, Jessica Savage and Pamela Patton of the Index of Medieval Art at Princeton University described experiences of being on both sides of the fence, seeking and guarding access to resource materials, and of what the pandemic revealed about issues already with access, and what might be done about it longer term.  Mildred Budny reported measures which the Research Group has undertaken in response to bibliographical lockdown, including blogposts, other publications, and this series of online events.  David Porreca and Linde Brocato offered advice about bibliographical quests for materials, in Special Collections or other locations.  Participants generously shared tips for such quests.

The recording of the event is being edited for presentation and wider viewing as a podcast, as the participants might permit.

We thank our speakers generous preparation and presentation.  We thank the participants for offering feedback, information, and advice.

Worcester Cathedral, Crypt. Image from geograph.org.uk via Wikimedia Commons.

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More Episodes are in preparation.  See The Research Group Speaks:  The Series.

We plan the next Episode.  Linde Brocato, scholar librarian, proposes to give a guided tour of several specimens offering bibliographical and cataloguing challenges (December 2021). Or, “How to Be Indiana Jones in the Catalog:  Treasure and Power in/of the Bibliographical Record”.  See Indiana Jones in the Catalog.

Episodes in the New Year will begin in January 2022.

Lisbon, Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga: The mid 15th-century Saint Vincent Panels, attributed to Nuno Gonçalves. Image (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Nuno_Gon%C3%A7alves._Paineis_de_S%C3%A3o_Vicente_de_Fora.jpg) via Creative Commons.

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Do you have suggestions for subjects?  Please let us know.  Please leave your Comments below, Contact Us, and visit our FaceBook Page.  We look forward to hearing from you.

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