Can I Touch It? Old Books and Matters of Access and Equity

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides valuable insights into the history of the book and the importance of physical access to rare materials. Brown’s argument is well-structured, moving from definitions to examples and then to a call for more equitable access. She effectively uses anecdotes and specific examples to illustrate her points, making the material engaging and relatable. The argumentation is solid, though it relies more on personal experience and illustrative cases than on systematic evidence. The discussion of the ‘accident of preservation’ and the role of materiality in understanding texts is particularly compelling.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The lecture demonstrates strong scholarly rigor, drawing on the speaker’s academic background and direct experience with rare books. Brown references specific works and institutions, such as the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Codex Regius, and the Rare Book School, lending credibility to her claims. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the question of touching old books and the associated issues of access and equity. The lecture is well-organized and the sources mentioned are appropriate for the topic, though not all are formally cited. The title is appropriate and does not mislead.

The title accurately reflects the content, which explores the physical access to old books and the equity issues surrounding their use.

8/10

The lecture is based on the speaker's academic expertise and direct experience with rare books, including a fellowship at Rare Book School. It provides concrete examples and historical context, but relies on anecdotal evidence and personal observations rather than systematic research. The information is generally reliable and well-supported by the speaker's credentials.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction to the lecture and the question 'What is a book?'
• 05:00Discussion of cuneiform tablets and papyrus scrolls as early forms of books.
• 10:00Explanation of vellum production and the transition to codex format.
• 15:00Examples of valuable old books: Lindisfarne Gospels, Codex Regius, 15th-century Quran.
• 20:00Discussion of Shakespeare's First Folio and Moby Dick, highlighting their materiality and value.
• 25:00Personal anecdote about breaking a manuscript at the Bodleian Library, illustrating the fear of handling old books.
• 30:00Introduction to Rare Book School and the Lang Fellowship, emphasizing the goal of making old books accessible.
• 35:00Example of Uncle Tom's Cabin in a newspaper, showing the importance of physical context.
• 40:00Discussion of the Malleus Maleficarum and the connection between printing and witch trials.
• 45:00Example of an herbal with a list of borrowers, revealing the readership of old books.
• 50:00Discussion of a Paris Bible and the development of portable Bibles for Dominican friars.

• Rare Book School — Mentioned as the institution where the speaker received a fellowship and learned about book history and access.
• Lindisfarne Gospels — Mentioned as an example of an eighth-century manuscript with Irish influence and Old English glosses.
• Codex Regius — Mentioned as the manuscript containing the Poetic Edda, important for Norse mythology.
• Shakespeare's First Folio — Mentioned as a valuable book from 1623, with recent sale price.
• Malleus Maleficarum — Mentioned as a book on witchcraft, with a copy backed with medieval manuscript pages.

• Rare Book School — Supports the idea of making rare books accessible through education and hands-on learning.
• Lindisfarne Gospels — Provides background on the manuscript mentioned, confirming its historical significance.