Investigating small publisher fairs across the UK to support collection development for artists’ books and fine press

Abstract

• My placement project focussed on small publisher fairs across the UK to support the British Library’s development of its artists’ books and fine press publication holdings. With supervision and guidance from Jerry Jenkins, I collected data relating to the exhibitors at small publisher fairs in order to analyse the regional diversity of book artists and small publishers in comparison to the Library’s collection. The primary output of this project is a spreadsheet recording this information, which has been set up to provide insights into both the contemporary publishing landscape and the regional representation of the Library’s collection. This research is presented in a report outlining the relationship between the regional diversity of these fairs and the British Library’s acquisition methods, alongside strategy recommendations for future development (with fairs in London and Dublin used as case studies following research visits). The project also forms the basis for a UKWA collection for use by future researchers. With the support of the Northern Bridge Consortium, I have been provided with many opportunities to develop my skills by being immersed in the culture of the British Library: from meeting with curation and conservation staff to attending digital scholarship training events showcasing the latest methodologies for work in cultural heritage. Overall, the most valuable outcome of this unique and rewarding placement has been the ability to learn about the complexities of collection management within such a prominent cultural institution.