About Ligatus

Ligatus introduction
The Ligatus Research Unit aims to create a unique environment, where the study of the history of bookbinding and conservation is combined with research into modern digital data analysis and collection management tools. This is the first time that bookbinding and conservation have been made the focus of a research unit, and it is intended that Ligatus will provide a central resource for these two subjects and enhance their practice through the use of current digital technologies.

Name
Ligatus: Meaning “bound” or “tied” in Latin.
The name indicates the main subject area of the Unit which is the study of the history of bookbinding, but also the concept of “binding” (structure) in current digital data management systems, highlighting the technological side of the Unit.

Objectives
To produce internationally recognised research in the field of book history and conservation.
To produce a digital resource directly relevant to the history of bookbinding and conservation, delivering a unique mass of data to the wider research community, making Ligatus and UAL, a central reference point for the study of historic bookbindings and their conservation. This resource will capture, process and deliver hitherto unpublished information contributed by experienced professionals and pioneers in the field currently held in personal archives and libraries around the world.
To develop these resources to expand research possibilities in the field of the history of bookbinding, book conservation and digital data structuring for the humanities within the wider academic world. This will be made possible by extending the Unit’s activities to initiate relevant research projects and most importantly to offer opportunities for further PhD research.

Collaborations
Ligatus aims to develop tools and resources which will transform the documentation and study of library collections and archival material. Essential part of this process is the collaboration with other institutions and research groups, some of which are listed here:

  • School of Advanced Study, University of London.
  • Oxford (Patalogia), Centre for the Study of the Book, Bodleian Library, Oxford University.
  • Cambridge (Scriptorium), Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts Online).
  • Museum of Byzantine Culture, Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • Institute of Byzantine Research in Athens, Greece.
  • Centre for Historical Research and Documentation, Volos, Greece.
  • Institute of Conservation (ICON).

And within UAL:

Research activities
St. Catherine’s Project
Funded by the St. Catherine Foundation
The monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai, Egypt, is the oldest active Christian monastery in the world. The monastery's library holds a unique collection of Byzantine manuscripts. Ligatus has undertaken the task of assessing the condition of the manuscripts, printed books and scrolls, classifying the information using modern digital techniques and offering advice on further conservation work.
Bilingual Glossary of Bookbinding terms
Funded by the AHRC
This project is creating a bookbinding glossary which is edited online by experts located in different countries. The glossary will also serve as a set of guidelines for describing bookbindings. It will first appear in English and Greek, but negotiations are underway to incorporate other European languages.
John Latham Archive
Funded by the Henry Moore Foundation
The theory behind the work of the artist John Latham (1921-2006), which often involves the innovative use of books, is still being studied. A major resource for this study is the artist’s archive which is being surveyed, treated and digitised to offer access to researchers who are interested in John Latham’s work.
Digitisation of bookbinding slide collections
Ligatus will be the repository for an unrivalled collection of materials relating to the history of bookbinding donated by key scholars who have worked internationally with major public and private collections. Wherever possible, these images will be made available on the Ligatus website.

Contact
Ligatus Research Unit
The University of the Arts, London
Wilson Rd., London
SE5 8LU
UK
www.ligatus.org.uk
tel.: +44 (0) 207 514 6432