OMEN EST NOMEN ИЛИ НАУКА О КЊИЗИ КОД СРБА
OMEN EST OMEN: THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF BOOKS WITHIN THE SERBIAN ACADEMIC COMMUNITY

Summary/Abstract: In this paper we are dealing with a specific approach to academic book study. We discuss the academic disciplines that deal with it (bibliology, bibliography and librarianship) pointing at the same time to the necessity of an introduction of the paradigm of the polymorphous book science, given that the aforementioned disciplines are not only intertwined but fully integrated and that a single perspective in the study of books is inadequate. Providing bibliographic and catalogue descriptions, managing holdings (especially those containing old and rare books), procuring copies and determining how rare a book is, establishing its exact edition and describing it properly – all this is impossible if one assumes a position within one field only. We point out that the academic and professional approach to book research in our region is reduced to cultural history or the ISBD standard, and in reponse to the question “what should we learn about working with books?,” we propose changing the curricula and programs of both academic and professional exams. It is necessary to introduce a new paradigm that can answer “what is activity” and “what is science”, “where is the science in librarianship” and “where is librarianship in science”, “which academic spheres (should) have a library” and “which book as its subject of study”, and finally, “what is a book?” The science of the 21st century has found answers to these questions in the concept of multidisciplinary book academia, which has the book as a medium as its subject of study. Therefore we believe that the introduction of such a concept would be a responsible move for our academic community – both towards the heritage that should be preserved and described, and towards students who need to be given the knowlegde they need for that result. It is up to us, that we – recognizing the complex nature and universality of the subject “book” and following modern science that has already placed academic book research in the intersection between bibliology and mediology – move from narrowly specialized, differentiated approaches of the subject to integrating our knowledge about it. We also believe that this must be done within the framework of a science that will deal with books, both their etymology, genealogy, evolution and archeology as well as their function in society and human life. And from whose name, according to the title of this paper, will be clear what this science is about.

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