Course Information

Instructor: Jen Johnson & Brad Johnson

Location: Los Angeles / UCLA

Mode: In-person

Dates: August 4–8, 2025

Tuition: $1200.00

Course Description

Rare books, archives, vernacular photography, born digital collections, audio recordings, and ephemera are just some of the materials passing through the hands of antiquarian booksellers today. This week-long course will explore how professionals navigate various facets of the trade in the 21st century, and include specialist booksellers, special collections librarians, and archivists who will share their expertise and broaden our conversations.

We will visit local special collection libraries and spend an afternoon at our brick-and-mortar shop in Covina, where students will have real-world exposure to the inner workings of a used bookstore. Some of the topics will include new trends in collecting, finding and evaluating books and archives for purchase and resale, describing materials from a seller’s perspective, and an introduction to appraisals, as well as bookseller etiquette and best practices. The course is intended for booksellers, special collections librarians, collectors, scholars, graduate students, and anyone considering a career as a bookseller.