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August 7, 2000
Contact: Guy Lamolinara (202) 707-9217

Handbook for the Study of Book History Published by the Library of Congress

A Handbook for the Study of Book History in the United States, by Ronald J. Zboray and Mary Saracino Zboray, has been published by the Library of Congress. Sponsored by the Library's Center for the Book, the 155-page paperbound volume is an introduction for researchers to the literature and subject of book history.

In the first part of the volume, the authors explain why the field of the history of the book is important and discuss its major concerns. Most of the book describes how to locate and use source material. It concludes with observations about the future of book history, an appendix describing important periodicals for book historians and a 52-page list of suggested readings.

Ronald J. Zboray is associate professor of history at Georgia State University, and Mary Saracino Zboray is a research associate at the same institution. Together they have published extensively on antebellum cultural history, including recent articles in many scholarly journals and essays in two collections, on Boston business history and on the Massachusetts Historical Society. In 1998-99, the Zborays were Honorary Visiting Fellows at the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College, while completing a book on the experience of reading in antebellum New England.

The Handbook is the Center for the Book's second resource publication about book history. The first, The History of Books: A Guide to Selected Resources in the Library of Congress (1987), by Alice D. Schreyer, is out of print but available in many libraries.

The Center for the Book was established in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books, reading and libraries. For information about its programs, publications and the activities of its affiliated centers in 40 states and the District of Columbia, visit its Web site at www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook.

A Handbook for the Study of Book History in the United States is available for $15 from Oak Knoll Press, 310 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720; telephone (302) 328-7232; toll-free (800) 996-2556; fax (302) 328-7274. The handbook can be ordered at online here. It also is available in the Library of Congress Sales Shop.

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PR 00-108
8/7/00
ISSN 0731-3527