Michael Taylor
Special Collections Librarian and Associate Professor
Office
Location
Wilson Library 674
Hours
By appointment
About
I am the Special Collections Librarian at Western Washington University, where I work to develop the library’s rare book collections and offer related programming and classroom instruction. I am also involved in archival acquisitions and processing for Special Collections. My areas of professional and research interest are broad but include book history, books as material culture, library exhibitions, and teaching with primary sources.
I hold graduate degrees in history and library science, with a specialization in rare books and manuscripts librarianship, from Indiana University, and have received additional training from Rare Book School (University of Virginia), California Rare Book School (UCLA), and London Rare Book School (University of London). Prior to coming to WWU in 2018, I worked in special collections and archives at the University of New Mexico, Louisiana State University, and Indiana University.
Since 2019, I have served on the board of directors of the Book Club of Washington, a Seattle-based group of bibliophiles which works to promote the appreciation of rare books and special collections in the Pacific Northwest. I am also editor of the BCW Journal, issued twice per year.
Courses taught:
LIBR 397G, Exploring Archives & Special Collections
LIBR 325, History of the Book
LIBR 397H, Archives & Special Collections Internship