Summer: Rutgers- British Collections and Archives
The Program
This 3 cr. Master’s hybrid course features 9 days on ground in England and focuses on cultural history examining collections in British libraries and archives by visits to various library collections and archives, by lectures from British experts and understanding the connections of the collections to the history and culture of the United Kingdom.
British Collections and Archives, is a three-credit hybrid summer session graduate course in the Masters of Information program in the School of Communication & Information, which will be based at Wroxton College in England, with additional course sessions online. The course will include visits to libraries and archives in London and surrounding areas, including the British Library, the National Archives, the Weston/Bodleian Library at Oxford University, Oxford Public Library, the Archives of the Shakespeare Center at Stratford-upon-Avon, Bletchley Park, and more. The course also features lectures by noted British scholars and librarians on trends in academic and public libraries, digital preservation and archives. Additionally, there will be free time to explore on your own, including a day in London. This 3 cr. MI course is organized and led by Prof. Marie L. Radford.
Program Locations
United Kingdom
Wroxton College, Banbury
At Wroxton you will encounter the quintessential English village scene. Set in the rural heart of England, Wroxton offers a peaceful environment for learning amid a beautiful countryside of lawns, lakes, gardens and woodland. The College continues to meet its founding vision of an intellectual community, cloistered in an idyllic setting. Housed in a remarkably beautiful, modernized 17th-century manor house, to Henry James, Wroxton was part of the essence of England. Source: Wroxton College
Banbury is England’s largest market town, and it’s located just three miles from campus. Van trips throughout the week allow for shopping and socializing in town. Wroxton’s central location in the heart of England also puts it close to Oxford and Stratford-Upon-Avon. For more pictures, information and student testimonials, visit Wroxton College website.
Academics
This course focuses on cultural history examining collections in British libraries and archives by visits to various library collections and archives, by lectures from British experts and understanding the connections of the collections to the history and culture of the United Kingdom. Upon completion of course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of important British collections and archives.
2. Understand collection development from a British point of view.
3. Understand the organization of British collections and archives.
4. Understand how collections and archives connect to British cultural heritage.
5. Compare and contrast American library culture and British library culture.
For MI students, this course contributes to knowledge of archives and digital preservation, as well as comparative studies of libraries and library practices in Britain vs. the US. For other majors, there is a significant historical component, as well as opportunities to learn about contemporary life and British institutions, including education and culture.
The academic part of the class is done through Canvas. Assignments are submitted by students and graded through Canvas, and grades are submitted by faculty.
Click here to see the 2024 course syllabus.
Click here to see the 2024 program itinerary.
Housing and Meals
Students will stay in the dormitory buildings at Wroxton College, in Wroxton, England, owned by Fairleigh Dickinson University, USA. Each student will have their own room with a private bath. There is 24/7 security with building access limited to students, staff, and faculty.
All meals will be included while at Wroxton and accommodations are made for food allergies and other dietary requirements. When we are traveling, boxed lunches will be provided for most days. For more pictures and information visit the Wroxton College website.
Financial Information
Program Costs
| Graduate | |
|---|---|
| NJ Resident | $4,480 |
| Non NJ Resident | $4,800 |
Program Cost includes:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- In country transportation
- Excursions, entry tickets, guest speakers and cultural activities
- Administrative Fees
- Emergency Medical Access Abroad
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,100 |
| Snacks | $50 |
| Personal Expenses | $200 |
| Total | $1,350.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket, while some of these expenses, such as meals and personal expenses, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Scholarships
Faculty Leaders
Marie L. Radford, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information. Her latest books are Research Methods in Library and Information Science, 7th ed. with Lynn S. Connaway (2021), Conducting the Reference Interview, 3rd
ed., with Catherine Sheldrick Ross and Kirsti Nilsen (2019), and Library Conversations: Reclaiming Interpersonal Communication Theory for Understanding Professional Encounters with Gary P. Radford (2017). Her research focuses on qualitative methods, academic libraries, interpersonal communication within library contexts, virtual and traditional reference service, and postmodern approaches to media stereotypes of librarians/libraries. She gives frequent keynotes and presentations at national and international library conferences and publishes extensively in LIS journals. She is a Director of the LIDA (Libraries in the Digital Age) biennial conference, held in Croatia (next one will be May 19-21, 2025 in Dubrovnik). She received the 2010 ALA/RUSA Mudge Award for distinguished contributions to reference and the 2024 Chancellor Award for Excellence in Mentoring, Rutgers University.
Lilia Pavlovsky, PhD, is Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the Master of Information program at Rutgers University. Lilia joined the Library & Information Science faculty in 2005 to help develop the fully online program and has been the recipient of multiple teaching and service awards recognizing her expertise as an educator in this area. Her research focuses on how the design of virtual learning environments impacts behavior. Lilia served as Chair of the LIS Taskforce for Program Development in 2014, a strategic planning group responsible for the reorganization of the Masters program in Library and Information Science. Lilia’s administrative work focuses on strategic planning, curriculum development and program-level change implementation and management.