SPECIAL COLLECTIONS...

During this weeks UAY class we took the students on a field trip. Since we are going to be creating altered books we thought it would be a great idea to take them to special collections at the library. So we took a little adventure with the journaling group down the way to check out some really neat books. I was a little worried about the combination of our groups because of certain cliques. We just made sure to set ground rules about acting respectful since it was a college setting and making sure we remembered it was a library setting. The girls seemed to understand, there were only a few times a couple had to be reminded but it wasn't as bad as I had expected. I think they all really enjoyed getting to see these very unique books, it gave them a little preview into what their altered books might become through different explorations. I found it very interesting myself because I had never been to special collections and it really opened my eyes to the question "What makes a book, a book?" It is very interesting to think about especially when thinking about all the possibilities and forms books take these days. I will have to ponder this question further during my time with the students and possibly make it part of a new theme while we work along side them. All in all thursdays class was a success and I am really looking forward to diving into the project this next class.