I think I could focus on elements of book theory and this would encompass what I wanted to say about artists' books and private presses, as well as easily enable original content. It also helps me decide who the audience should be. I'm thinking people interested in book theory (I promise there are such people out there) -- this would include those in communication studies, people interested in the history of the book, artists' books, publishing and related fields. I have in mind people who know a lot about these fields as well as people who do not.

So I can cover: Artists' books, private presses, contemporary philosophical thinking about the book form (at least two major twentieth century French thinkers...), I have plenty of links in mind, and I'll continue thinking about what else I might want to discuss.

Examples

Here is an image of the book and prospectus of The Laughing and the Sun. I wrote the text and helped print these! The original relief prints were done by Philadelphia area artist Caroline Garcia. These photos are very diy. To see more images on Caroline's Etsy site click here. This is one example of the type of work I plan to highlight and discuss on the Web site.

Who to Write To?

I'm now pretty sure I'm doing artists books (which will cover some small presses). But who should I make the website aimed toward? Probably not professional book artists. They will already know anything I could come up with. But at the same time, I wouldn't want to explain why this is important/interesting to people with no interest in books or publishing. People in between -- those open to the idea of learning more about books, maybe those who aren't used to thinking about possible variations on the book form, but who are generally fond of books -- would probably be ideal.

Maybe librarians?

Perhaps if I refine the topic to highlighting "what a book can be" -- including different bindings, different publishing techniques, etc. -- I will find that middle audience.

By the way, for people interested in seeing some examples of private press books in your spare time, the Drexel University Archives and Special Collections has some. Contact them to find out more (it'll probably be me finding them for you).

Wait... On Second Thought...

OK... I've got a healthy back-and-forth with myself about a topic. Now I'm thinking about doing book arts (a.k.a. artists' books, a.k.a. original works of art in book form), with a section on private presses. I have some images of some art I've worked on with others that I can put up. And I know plenty of local book artists whose sites I can link to. Additionally my thesis dealt with the link between the form of the book and the affect on the content -- a semiotic link between medium and message type of thing. A real philosophical snooze-fest? Maybe, but it is an original contribution.

So much to think about...

considering possible topic(s)

I think I've narrowed options down to two main contenders (we'll see how long this lasts). I am very interested in private presses and artists' books. As the latter are common products of the former, I might be able to cover both...

Interest in private presses (presses privately owned and not run primarily for profit) has increased (in certain circles, that is) over the last several decades.

There is one particular link off the top of my head: The International Registry of Private Presses is now mostly online and information for it can be found here.

Now to think about colors!

Hi everybody,

My name is Scott and I am a third term student in the Drexel's Library Science program. I currently have two internships. One at Drexel University Archives and Special Collections in which I work to revitalize the Special Collections (I promise we have great books there, and I'm working to get them some notice), and one at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in which I help with the digital preservation/rights and reproduction department. In addition to these, the American Philosophical Society has tricked me into processing a collection there for free.

I hope to work in one of the many cultural institutions in Philadelphia after I graduate, ideally working with fine press books, rare books or artists books.

I spend too much time on a daily basis reading the New York Times, Drexel Library Website (I know, I know) and Philly.com. I hope to one day have time to visit and enjoy more recreational reading. Wish me luck.