Building Skills for the Rare Book World: The London Rare Books School announces its programme for 2026

The London Rare Books School (LRBS) is a series of week-long intensive courses on a variety of book-related subjects taught in and around the University of London’s central campus in Bloomsbury. Founded in 2007, the School takes place each summer over two weeks in late June.

LRBS provides academic and skills-based knowledge to a wide audience of participants. Courses are open to all. In addition to postgraduate students and researchers, book collectors and general enthusiasts, courses are regularly taken by library and museum professionals and by those working or seeking to enter the antiquarian book trade. From its outset, LRBS sought to take advantage of the skills and expertise of the trade. Members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association helped establish a course on Modern First Editions which has since developed into a more general introduction to the trade entitled The New Trade in Old Books. Taught by Angus O’Neill and Leo Cadogan, with guest talks and seminars by distinguished international speakers, the course is aimed at anyone with an interest in old and rare books, including collectors, bibliophiles, librarians, and researchers, as well as those who are newly working in the trade or who are seeking careers in the book world.

In addition to historical or thematic courses covering topics such as maps, typography, or medieval manuscripts, other LRBS courses aim to enhance skills in a variety of areas relevant to the book trade professional. These include: recognising and interpreting marks of provenance, bookbinding styles and structures, and the application of digital tools to book history. A new course for 2026 entitled Fakes, Forgeries and Stolen Books aims to equip participants with the necessary skillset to identify fakes, in addition to providing a historical overview of their production over several centuries.

A unique offering of LRBS is the credit option attached to each course where students can complete a piece of assessed work on a topic arising from the learning undertaken. Expert supervision is provided and the completed credit can be used towards the award of a postgraduate certificate or diploma from the University of London. Students can also use the credit to enter the University’s full Masters’ programme in the History of the Book. Many alumni of the programme have since gone on to secure jobs in the trade.

LRBS also runs a number of satellite courses elsewhere in the UK at different times of the year as well as introductory online courses. Recognising and Dating English Bookbindings, 1450-1850 will take place at the historic Taylor Library in Shrewsbury School from 24-27 March 2026.

LRBS offers a vibrant and exciting way in which to study the history of the book, learn new skills, and meet book-minded people. Students from all over the world come to study new subjects and experience London’s book world – its bookshops, libraries, and museums. In addition to formal classes, there are optional events including lectures and receptions supported by our partners in the trade, including Maggs Bros.

Bursaries to support attendance are generously provided by a number of organisations and foundations, including the ABA Educational Trust, the Peter Harrington Foundation, and the Bibliographical Society.

For more information and guidance on how to sign up for courses, see: https://ies.sas.ac.uk/study-training/summer-schools/london-rare-books-school