About the event

Discover wood in the collections and buildings of the Bodleian Library in this day of talks, demonstrations and discussion.

Talks in the Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre

11am – 12pm: Conserving the Wooden Library
Madeleine Katkov, Alex Walker and Nicole Gilroy
Exploring the conservation of the fabric and content of Bodley’s Library.

1pm – 2pm: First Impressions: Woodblocks used for printing
Andrew Honey and Alexandra Franklin
Discovering and re-discovering the uses of wooden printing blocks within a library.

2pm – 3pm: Dating the Undatable: from blocks to prints
Elizabeth Savage and Ed Potten
A conversation reflecting on the techniques for ascribing dates to woodblocks and prints.

You can drop in to watch these talks in person, or sign up to watch them online via Zoom.

Talks and activities in Blackwell Hall

Meet the experts and discover research and practice with wood, nature and the history of the book:

• The Bibliographical Society
• Oxford Dendrochronology Lab will explain how they analysed the ceiling of Duke Humfrey’s Library
• The Woodland Trust
• Humans evolved in the jungle, and human life depends entirely on the natural world! The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery researches how to protect and restore nature - and does a lot of work in woods and forests. Come and help us explain our woodland research in your own words! Join scientist and poet Sarah Watkinson, Writer in Residence at Wytham Woods, for some woodland inspired poetry fun.
• Textile artist Alice Fox will share some of her nature inspired works and recent creation for the Book Marks display.
• Debbie Sutcliffe from The Society of Wood Engravers will share her work and demonstrate simple mark making on wood

The woods are the inspiration for hands-on activities throughout the day:

• Print a woodgrain bookmark and design your own bookmark creating patterns from everyday objects
• Bring a leaf from an autumn walk to contribute to a colourful collage on the risograph
• Use magnetic poetry words to take an imaginative wander in the woods

Pop-up readings and conversation

12.15 – 12.45pm: Dr Sarah Simblet
Dr Sarah Simblet, co-author of The New Sylva: A Discourse of Forest and Orchard Trees, will share some of her artwork for the book, which is a study of the most important species of tree that populate our landscape.

1 – 1.20pm and 1.40 – 2.00pm: Sarah Watkinson
Join scientist and poet Sarah Watkinson for some woodland inspired poetry fun with readings and discussion.

2.30 – 3pm: Weaving stains, paperclips and dandelion stems
Join artist Alice Fox in conversation with Bodleian conservator Alice Evans about her work with natural materials, the book form, and a recent work Book Marks currently on display at the Weston Library.

3.15 – 3.45pm: Professor Fiona Stafford
Writer and academic Professor Fiona Stafford discusses trees, nature and places, and reads from her latest book, Time and Tide: the Long, Long Life of Landscape, and The Long, Long Life of Trees.

 
Programme supported by the T.A. Barron Fund and, in memory of John Flood, by the Bibliographical Society.
Lead image: Ecology Field Course, Wytham Woods, 1956. Strip No 86/44. D. A. Kempson Photo.

 Speakers

• Madeleine Katkov, Conservator in historic buildings
• Alex Walker, Head of Preventative Conservation, Bodleian Libraries
• Nicole Gilroy, Head of Book Conservation, Bodleian Libraries
• Andrew Honey, Book Conservator, Bodleian Libraries
• Dr Alexandra Franklin, Co-ordinator, Centre for the Study of the Book, Bodleian Libraries
• Dr Elizabeth Savage, Senior Lecturer in Book History and Communications, University of London
• Ed Potten, researcher at the Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York and member of the Council of The Bibliographical Society

 Location

This event is held in Blackwell Hall and the Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre at the Weston Library.

Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG

Find us on Google Maps

 Wheelchair access

The Weston Library is wheelchair accessible.