Dr. Shef Rogers will offer a new summer school paper over six weeks in January and early February 2015. Entitled “The Power of Print,” the paper examines how the development of writing, printing, mass literacy and digital media have changed the world.  As a 300-level English paper, the normal prerequisites are at least one paper at 200-level in ENGL.  However, variations can be granted for those with suitable backgrounds and experience.  See the Summer School website to find out more about enrolment, or contact Shef if you have specific questions about the paper (shef.rogers@otago.ac.nz).  It is a very hands-on paper, with each student responsible for a large research project on some book or manuscript held in a Dunedin collection.

With a visit from Claire Bolton to discuss 15th-century books in late February and the annual World Book Day Centre for the Book Dinner on Thursday 5 March, the new year is starting to feel very real.  For 2015 we are looking forward to having as our World Book Day speaker one of Australasia’s best-known book dealers, Kay Craddock, from Melbourne.  Meanwhile, we are keeping our fingers crossed for the 30 November result of Dunedin’s bid to be a UNESCO City of Literature.  So check back here regularly for more details, and mark your calendar for World Book Day.

But also remember that 2014 is not over yet, and the University Library will open its final exhibition of the year on 17 December, focused on Dunedin’s very own Joseph Mellor. Organised in part by Prof. Lyall Hanton from Chemistry, a member of the Centre’s advisory board, this exhibition will once again exhibit the depth and diversity of Dunedin’s print collections.