Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T20:09:08.905Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

We just aim to print well: The University of Sydney Library Printer in Residence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2021

Celia Brown*
Affiliation:
Academic Liaison Librarian, University of Sydney, Camperdown CampusNSW2006Australia Email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

At a time when space in any academic library is at a premium, when we sometimes need to argue for shelf space rather than computers and group work pods, the University of Sydney Library has decided not only to keep and maintain its nineteenth century printing press, but to feature it through a printer in residence program.

Now in its third year, the program brings together a printmaker and a letterpress for eight weeks during semester. The intent is to engage with the library and its users, to bring the print workshop to life, to draw inspiration from the library's collection and to create a publication for the Artists’ Book Collection within Rare Books & Special Collections.

In an era of instant layout, digital word processing and electronic publishing what does the slow and laborious process of letterpress printing bring to a twenty-first century academic library? This residency demonstrates that understanding the process of making a publication can be just as vital and alive as the content of that publication - one letter at a time.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of ARLIS

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Bryan, Harrison, “A private press in FisherThe Gazette (Sydney: University of Sydney, 1964), 117Google Scholar.

2. Bryan, “A private press”, 118.

3. Bryan, Harrison, A press Is born: a statement of intent / Fisher Press. (Sydney: University of Sydney, Fisher Library, 1963)Google Scholar.

4. Harrison Bryan endnote on Ugo Foscolo, The Sepulchres. (facsimile copy printed in Sydney: Piscator Press, 1964).

5. Bryan, Harrison, A press is born: a statement of intent/ Fisher Press (Sydney: University of Sydney, Fisher Library, 1963)Google Scholar.

9. Wendy Murray, Sydney - We Need to Talk! Sydney, N.S.W: Piscator Press, 2018. https://www.sydneyweneedtotalk.com/

12. Slater., Peter A field guide to Australian birds (Adelaide: Rigby, 1974)Google Scholar.

13. Troy., Jakelin The Sydney language (Canberra, ACT: Aboriginal Studies Press, 2019)Google Scholar.

14. Campbell, Barbara. Bird Voices: from A field guide to Australian birds volume 2: Passerines. (Sydney, N.S.W: Piscator Press, 2019)Google Scholar.