From: Graziano Krätli
International Program Support Librarian
Sterling Memorial Library - Yale University
120 High Street, P.O. Box 208240
New Haven, CT 06520
Phone: (203) 432-1763
Fax: (203) 432-8527
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
While researching my article on the desert
libraries of Mauritania
(http://www.worlib.org/vol14no1/kratli_v14n1.shtml
&
http://www.worlib.org/vol14no2/kratli_v14n2.shtml),
I realized how fascinating and poorly documented
a subject the Trans-Saharan Book Trade actually
is. While there are a few works on the
Trans-Saharan trade in general, and several
articles on particular aspects such as the gold,
or slave, trade, no comprehensive study of the
book production, commerce, and consumption along
the main caravan routes has been published yet.
To fill this gap, and to gather in one place the
wealth of knowledge generated by African / Book
historians and archeologists on this topic, I am
planning a collection of essays on the various
aspects (historical, economic, cultural,
intellectual, material, technological) of the
Trans-Saharan book trade, including any major
efforts to collect, catalog, preserve, and
digitize the fruits of this unique cultural
heritage.
Consequently, I invite scholars who have done
significant research in any of the above areas,
and who see themselves as potential contributors
to a volume like this, to contact me with the
following information: (a) name, title, and
current position or institutional affiliation;
(b) research areas relevant to this project and
any related publications; (c) a paragraph or two
describing the type and content of a possible
chapter.
I will reply with more information on the
intended volume, and will continue discussing its
planning and composition with all interested
parties until a detailed outline, with a
tentative table of contents and a list of
contributors, will be ready for submission to a
number of potentially interested publishers.
I thank in advance whoever will show interest for
this project, and look forward to receiving any
comments, proposals, and feedback.
Graziano Krätli
Yale University Library
(203) 432-1763
[log in to unmask]
WORKING TABLE OF CONTENT
Foreword
Introduction
This could be a historical overview the Trans-Saharan Book trade
Part I: Physical Object: Artifact and Commodity
Production materials, tools, and technology
Circulation, commerce, collection
Part II: Intellectual Content
This section to include 3-5 essays on the
contribution of the Saharan book trade to the
development of an intellectual and scholarly
tradition in West Africa
Part III: Cultural Heritage
Collecting, cataloging, storing
Preservation problems and initiatives
Bibliography
Contributors
Index
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