Sep 01, 2025 Labor Day: Meet Our Rare and Special Workers

“Because one who does not know how to write thinks it no labour, I will describe it for you, if you want to know how great is the burden of writing: it mists the eyes, it curves the back, it breaks the belly and the ribs, it fills the kidneys with pain, and the body with all kinds of suffering. Therefore, turn the pages slowly, reader, and keep your fingers well away from the pages, for just as a hailstorm ruins the fecundity of the soil, so the sloppy reader destroys both the book and the writing.”

— Florentius of Valeranica, 10th century 

Apocalipsis 1313
M. Moleiro Editor Facsimile Ed., S.A: Madrid, 2006
ND3361 R52 A66 2006

Much has changed since Florentius of Valeranica lamented the physical toll of being a scribe. The printing press revolutionized how we reproduce text, industrial publishing redefined the scale and speed of production, and the internet reshaped access to knowledge itself. In effect, the perception of a book’s life cycle today is more commonly understood as a mental and emotional undertaking rather than a physical one, but a laborious process nonetheless.  

Even still, Florentine’s words serve as a powerful reminder to acknowledge the work of the book workers, book makers, and book lovers. In doing so, we are more likely to treat the objects themselves not as mere items to be disposed of but as vessels that carry the weight of our collective humanity. To hold a book is to hold someone’s story, thought, and care. In the Rare Books Department at the University of Utah, it is our mission to share that belief with the broader campus community. 

This Labor Day, we celebrate that work. We’ve compiled a short introduction to the people behind the Rare Books Department at the University of Utah: Their work, their passions, and the books they hold dear. Like the volumes on our shelves, these individuals represent a wide range of backgrounds and curiosities, reminding us that a love for books transcends discipline, department, and field of study. In honoring the work of our department, we also celebrate the power of the collection itself—broad enough to reflect the diversity of our campus, and rich enough to connect us all. 

Lyuba Basin is the Rare Books Librarian and is a two-time University of Utah Alumna.She graduated with double bachelors’ degrees in English Literature and Applied Linguistics in 2015, and a master’s in World Languages and Cultures in 2018.

What has your experience working in Rare Books been like? 

Every day is different, and I always feel like I am learning something new. To be an effective curator and impactful librarian, my job requires me to understand various facets of book history. This means that I am constantly exploring different languages, cultures, time periods, and geographical regions, each offering its own story about how knowledge is created, preserved, and shared. What I love most, however, is bringing this knowledge into the classroom. Books can open an unparalleled window into the human experience, revealing how people across centuries have grappled with the same questions that we face today. The most rewarding moments come when students realize that they, too, are part of this ongoing history—that the book in front of them is not just a relic of the past, but a living conversation they are invited to join.

How has working with Rare Books changed the way you see the world, in or outside of school? 

I began using rare books and other primary source materials as an undergraduate at the University of Utah and can say, without a doubt, that they enhanced not only my research and study, but also my understanding of languages, literature, and history more broadly. Luckily, these concepts align closely with my personal interests, and I often find myself returning to discoveries I made in the collection or to ideas that emerged while exploring the history of the book. What began as an academic pursuit has since become my career and so much more. The time I have spent with the collection, and with the colleagues who bring it to life, has profoundly influenced the person I am today. These books have sharpened my intellectual curiosity and have reshaped the way I understand the world and my own place within it.

What’s your favorite book in the collection? 

John Milton’s Paradise Lost is a work I find myself returning to time and again. First printed in 1667, our library’s second edition is beautifully produced and includes twelve full-page engravings, placed at the beginning of each of the twelve books. These illustrations do more than ornament the text; they invite readers to enter the world of Milton’s epic with a visual sense of its grandeur and conflict. My first encounter with Paradise Lost came as an English undergraduate. In my very first year, I enrolled in Dennis Kezar’s Literary History course and spent an entire semester immersed in Milton’s epic poem. It was a decision that has shaped my thinking about literature, philosophy, and faith ever since. At the heart of Paradise Lost are arguments about free will, obedience, pride, and redemption—ideas that remain central to our moral imagination today. It also wrestles with profound questions, such as why evil exists and (most importantly) can freedom mean anything if disobedience isn’t possible? I was perhaps most captivated by Milton’s portrayal of Satan. His speeches are seductive, persuasive, and at times even heroic, forcing the reader to confront the disturbing allure of rebellion. Our 1688 edition conveys this moral and philosophical struggle through its engravings. Each image reflects the stark tension between good and evil, guiding the reader not only through the story, but also into the larger questions Milton asks us to consider.

Paradise Lost
John Milton (1608-1674)
London: Printed by Miles Flesher, for Richard Bently, 1688
PR3560 1688

Theadora Soter is the Rare Books Assistant Curator. She received an honors degree in English Literature from the University of Utah and is currently working towards her master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois.  

What has your experience working in Rare Books been like? 

My experience working in Rare Books has been, without a doubt, the most rewarding and intellectually enriching experience of my career so far. For as long as I can remember, stories have been at the center of my life. Getting the opportunity to wake up each day and tell the stories of the books within our collection is a privilege like no other. Not only because of their fascinating histories, but because I know that the books within our collection reflect the broader story of human nature. Connecting my community to that story is both humbling and exhilarating. Through that experience, I am reminded how small I am, how vast the world is, and that anything is possible. I love working with Rare Books because wherever I turn, they show me something new. These books and this work remind me of my place in this world. Sharing that feeling of wonder, connection, and limitlessness with others is a gift like no other.  

How has working with Rare Books changed the way you see the world, in or outside of school? 

I was first introduced to the University of Utah’s Rare Books Collection in my fourth year of college. I was struggling to find a research topic for my thesis, and also to find a path I could follow after graduating. The moment I walked into the Rare Books classroom, I was overcome with a feeling of simultaneous awe and tranquility. It was then that I decided I would make it my goal to share that feeling with others. Since then, working with the collection has made me a better writer, researcher, and person. The stories that I draw upon from my work in Rare Books provide me with a sense of empathy, intrigue, and curiosity that work together to make my life infinitely more fulfilling and interesting.

What’s your favorite book in the collection? Why? 

I find myself getting hung up on the beauty and details of different books within the collection daily, and, as a result, my favorite book is always changing. That said, I have taken a particular interest in Thomas Frognall Dibdin’s 1842 edition of Bibliomania; or Book-Madness. The book is a comedic guide to curing one’s obsession with books. It takes the form of a conversation between friends and is interspersed with lovely woodcuts that bring a smile to my face. I recommend that any fellow “bibliomaniacs” spend a moment with it.

Bibliomania: or book-madness…
Thomas Frognall Dibdin (1776-1847)
London: Henry G. Bohn, 1842
Z992 D542

Savanna Barlow is a Rare Books Assistant majoring in Business Management and Political Science at the University of Utah

What has your experience working in Rare Books been like? 

I love the atmosphere in Rare Books. Everyone here is genuinely passionate about the work. What I enjoy most is how collaborative it is. We’re always finding new ways to share the collection with the public and show how these books can be meaningful and useful to the university community.

How has working with Rare Books changed the way you see the world, in or outside of school? 

Working in Rare Books has taught me to slow down and notice details, which helps me in school and sparks my interest in history and storytelling. It’s also shown me how much I enjoy connecting research and creativity, which is something I hope to carry into my future work.

What is your favorite book in the collection? 

Local Conditions by Chandler O’Leary stands out to me because it feels almost alive. Each page adds a new view or scene of Mount Rainier, almost like flipping through old pictures instead of adding paper. I like how it mixes art and storytelling in a way that makes you slow down, notice the small details of the scenes. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you after you close it.

Local Conditions
Chandler O’Leary (1982-2023)
Tacoma, WA: Anagram Press, 2010
N7433.4 O45 L63 2010

Alexander Jolley is a Rare Books Assistant and Graduate Student pursuing a masters degree in History at the University of Utah 

What has your experience working in Rare Books been like? 

Working in Rare is a phenomenal opportunity to engage with history, and learn something new everyday. I have access to countless amazing stories and objects, which is an opportunity that is not afforded to everyone.

How has working with Rare Books changed the way you see the world, in or outside of school? 

After four months of working at the department in December of 2022, I got to meet with one of the rare book dealers that come to the school on occasion. The firm was with Bruce Mckitrick which specializes in early European Print. I was curious to talk with the dealer, and after about 15 minutes I knew I was going to pursue this as a career. Since then, I have started my own rare book business, and attended multiple conferences, like CABS, on the book trade. I would have never known this to be an available opportunity was it not for the generosity of the dealers and librarians who have offered their advice and help. I am doing my graduate thesis on the cultural trends that make books valuable. I hope this research could improve the department, impact my own business, and rare book collectors, dealers, and librarians across the country.

What’s your favorite book in the collection? 

My favorite books in the collection change from day-to-day, and really depends on what I am looking at at any given point. Right now, my two favorite books are probably the Palm Leaf Manuscript, and the Widtsoe copy of the first edition Book of Mormon. I have done research projects on these books, which you can view. Deep diving into these books, their history, and their materiality, makes their story much more interesting to me. Both are excellent examples of books that the department holds, and I love them for their unique qualities. A very close third is the Book of Commandments printed by the early LDS church in 1833. I have been researching it for a part of my graduate degree, and I am fascinated by its story and impact. (And rarity!) Ask me in a week and I might have a new favorite. 

Book of Commandments
Zion: W. W. Phelps, 1833
BX8628 A2 1833

Conner Kraenbuhl is a Rare Books Assistant majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah

What has your experience working in Rare Books been like? 

I have found working in Rare Books has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my university experience. From science to culture, the opportunities I have become exposed to hold a great importance in my day-to-day existence. The ability to interact with books of age, quality, importance, and restoration is breathtaking. Overall, the Rare Books collection offers insight into not only the history of books or surrounding arts but also helps to trace lineages of thought throughout every subject and discipline.

How has working with Rare Books changed the way you see the world, in or outside of school? 

Working with Rare Books has helped me pursue interests that my normal curriculum would not include, and that my life would likely not have the materials to present. Working with original copies allows one to explore their own place in history, as well as understand where their modern world propagates from. Furthermore, such explorations in the history of human communication aid me in finding passion and motivation in what I am studying and how I wish to leave my lasting mark on the world.

What’s your favorite book in the collection? 

My favorite book in the collection as of this moment (always subject to change) is a copy of The Tale of Beowulf with vellum Binding and illustrations by Morris William.  It is not just beautiful, but also an incredible combination of literature, textile arts, and design; and is thus truly an item of awe.  

The Tale of Beowulf
Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1895
PR1583 M6 1895

###