Author Date

2023-03-11

Degree Name

Department

English

College

Humanities

Defense Date

2023-03-09

Publication Date

2023-03-11

First Faculty Advisor

Jamie Horrocks

First Faculty Reader

Christina Thomas

Honors Coordinator

Aaron Eastley

Keywords

Bookbinding, Book History, Exhibit, Experiential Learning, Library

Abstract

Original bindings on historical books can provide important and interesting context to the book’s contents, including the class status of the original owner, the aesthetic standards of the time period, and the priorities of the bookbinder. Oftentimes, however, the bindings are ignored or neglected by those interested solely in the book’s content.

This thesis project centered around providing visitors to the Harold B. Lee Library in Provo, Utah, with the opportunity to see books from the Middle Ages on exhibit, alongside educational material created to help them understand the significance and relevant characteristics of the books’ original bindings. The project’s scope was fourfold: I curated and organized two separate exhibits in the Harold B. Lee Library, created a video and models demonstrating binding techniques and materials, taught four undergraduate classes and one graduate class about bookbinding and book history, and built professional connections in the bookbinding community.