The Library has acquired two outstanding medieval manuscripts, elevating the Library’s rare books collection and significantly contributing to firsthand teaching and learning at the University.
The “student Bible” was made in Oxford, England around 1250 — a time when student Bibles were produced for university students and professors for their daily studies — and is the only one of its kind in a Canadian collection. The “Book of Hours,” a private devotional book from the 15th century, contains remarkable hand-painted illuminations.
Siân Echard, Head of UBC’s department of English, has already used both texts as teaching and learning tools in her class and notes their importance to hands-on learning. “All of the senses get engaged in a way that just doesn’t happen with a facsimile.”
These recent acquisitions were purchased at auction in December 2015, thanks to generous donor funds. “Their efforts have enabled UBC Library to enhance its medieval collections for research, learning and enjoyment,” remarks Ingrid Parent, UBC’s university librarian.
Both manuscripts can be viewed in the Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections area of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre or as digitized versions online.
For more information, see the UBC Media Release “Centuries-old medieval manuscripts added to UBC Library collection,” (Mar. 21).
This story also appeared in:
- 24Hours Vancouver, “UBC adds 13th-century bible to collection,” March 21, 2016.
- Vancouver Sun, “UBC students will get ‘hands on’ exposure to medieval manuscripts,” March 22, 2016.
- Alliance for Arts + Culture, “Centuries-Old Medieval Manuscripts Added to UBC Collection,” March 23, 2016.
- Library Journal Info Docket, “University of British Columbia: Centuries-Old Medieval Manuscripts Added to Library Collection,” March 26, 2016.
- Porter Anderson Media, “Glimpses of the UBC Library’s ‘New’ Medieval Manuscripts,” March 29, 2016.
- The Ubyssey, “Rare Books library’s wish list shortens with acquisition of Book of Hours and 13th century Bible,” March 30, 2016.