I have been involved in community groups, activist groups, business groups, games nights, and art groups. Over years I have experienced some rather loving, caring, and supportive bonds with folks in some of these groups. In contrast I have experienced the failure of trying too hard and the reality of that special something just not being there more times than I would prefer to admit.
This second week in July of 2023 I built some strong connections (which will take some maintenance, of course) but also experienced the power of excellent planning and stepped into the middle of an organization’s effort to do the work of confronting privilege and come to a reckoning. It was a good week.
The most remarkable part is that we so quickly identified as a community. While this dynamic could be dismissed as a product of many attendees being in the same line of business, respect must be given to the organization that went into the event — from the Board of Directors to the rest of the faculty and support staff. They did some amazing work.
The Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar happens in Minnesota now, but that’s another story. Since 1977 Librarians, Collectors, and Booksellers have been gathering annually to learn more about old books. We are all the better for it.
On top of it all my travel went smoothly, I didn’t get sick even after I returned, and I received a scholarship to attend the event. I’m so glad I went and will be paying for my staff to go in the years to come.
Here’s the information on the scholarship and you can click around from this page to learn more if you like.
https://www.bookseminars.com/scholarships.php#17
As always, schedule a time to talk if you want to know more.
Among the many amazing faculty at the Antiquarian Book Seminar in Minnesota I had the privilege of learning from this week: Legends of the Bookselling World — Rob Rulon-Miller Jr. and John Thomson. The reason I wanted a picture with them was because they were some of the folks who had benefited from privilege and found a way to work within the antiquarian book community to attempt to make the trade a more inclusive space. Much respect.
Solomon Everta 