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A historical study of Europe’s oldest academic library
DR Julia Walworth, fellow librarian of Merton College, Oxford, provides a richly illustrated account of Europe’s oldest academic library, in this beauti- fully produced Bodleian Library publication. Her seven-chapter chrono- logical history is both accessi- ble and scholarly, detailing the development, over more than 700 years and up till the pres- ent day, of an Oxford college library remarkable both for its exceptionally rich rare book and manuscript holdings as for the fact that it is the library in the longest continuous use within any university. Qual- ity is a hallmark of Bodleian Library publications, and there is scarcely an opening in this book not to feature an illus- tration, all of which are in col- our, and most of which are of the library’s treasures. These include, besides manuscripts and early printed books, its famous stained glass windows in Merton’s Mob Quadrangle – the earliest stained glass to survive from any English library – as well as astrolabes, book chests, and terrestrial globes. Colin Dunn, principal photographer for the book, warrants special mention for his excellent work.
That such a comprehensive account of this library could be produced owes much to the rich institutional archives surviving for Merton College, which Dr Walworth draws upon expertly. Her book tells a chronological narrative, drawing out the histories of the library’s collections,
50 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
A look at leadership roles for school librarians
THE concept of this book is that school librarians, by taking on a leadership role, making connections that build a culture of learning and creating a learning environment, are serving students, teachers and senior management simultaneously. There are nine chapters
Walworth, Julia C. Merton College Library: An illustrated history. Oxford: Bodleian Library, 2020. 144 pp. ISBN 9781851245390. £15.
buildings, readers, and staff. Julia Walworth brings a
storyteller’s art to her nar- rative, which makes reading her book a real pleasure. She uses illustrative examples – of benefactions, sales ledgers, library practice, the work of key people over the course of time at Merton College Library, particular rare books or manuscripts held within the library – to serve as a means to develop the tale she narrates. And her book will be useful and enjoyable for readers interested in more than the history of one – albeit such a major – English library over several hundreds of years.
Christopher Skelton-Foord New College, Oxford
covering: placing the library within a collaborative school culture; job-embedded profes- sional development; applying a research-based model for inquiry learning; traditional literacy learning and reading promotion; deeper learning for critical thinking and prob- lem solving; digital learning; assessment and self-reflection of both student learning and personal CPD; developing partnerships for advocacy and promotion; and sustaining a collaborative culture. Each chapter concludes with three discussion questions, three group activities – that can be used for individual, small- group or whole-group work, and three points for further reflection. The book breaks down evidence-based pedagog- ical practices into strategies, collaborative opportunities and practical advice with tools for positioning the school librarian as an instructional leader. Text is presented in manageable blocks, broken with visuals, highlighted words are defined in a glossary and there is a comprehensive index. A school librarian needs understanding of the whole system to sustain
Moreillon, Judi. Maximising School Librarian Leadership: Building connections for learning and advocacy. Chicago: ALA editions, 2018. 206 pp. ISBN 9780838915257. £56.95.
and advocate for future-ready learners; valuable for both newly appointed and expe- rienced librarians, this book engenders such an approach. It would also be useful reading for others working within an educational setting.
Barbara Band Library Consultant and Trainer
September 2021
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