Instructor: Jen Johnson & Brad Johnson
Location: Los Angeles / UCLA
Mode: In-person
Dates: August 4–8, 2025
Tuition: $1200.00

Description

Rare books, archives, vernacular photography, born digital collections, audio recordings, and ephemera are just some of the materials passing through the hands of antiquarian booksellers today. This week-long course will explore how professionals navigate various facets of the trade in the 21^st century, and include specialist booksellers, special collections librarians, and archivists who will share their expertise and broaden our conversations.

We will visit local special collection libraries and spend an afternoon at our brick-and-mortar shop in Covina, where students will have real-world exposure to the inner workings of a used bookstore. Some of the topics will include new trends in collecting, finding and evaluating books and archives for purchase and resale, describing materials from a seller’s perspective, and an introduction to appraisals, as well as bookseller etiquette and best practices. The course is intended for booksellers, special collections librarians, collectors, scholars, graduate students, and anyone considering a career as a bookseller.

Requirements

Offered

years

Credit

Completion of this course helps to meet requirements for one of the following certificate requirements:

• 1 of 2 elective credit courses for Certificate in Rare Books and Manuscripts, or
• 1 of 2 elective credit courses for Certificate in Librarianship, Activism, and Justice