Meet the Warburg: Maisie Brewster, Graduate Library Trainee

In this blog series, we introduce you to the people who bring the Warburg to life. From library staff to academic tutors, find out more about the people working at the Warburg Institute. 

In this interview, we chatted with Graduate Library Trainee, Maisie Brewster. Read on to discover more about Maisie's research interests, the enriching experiences she has gained through the traineeship, and more.  

What drew you to apply for the role of Graduate Library Trainee? 

I was drawn to the role at the Warburg Institute due to the Library's unique classification system and open shelves, which encourages researchers to explore the interaction between ideas, images and society. I was excited by the idea of working with a collection that fosters relationships outside the boundaries of chronology and geography. I have always had a keen interest in the running and promotion of an institute’s collection and have a first-hand appreciation of their importance for researchers. Having studied the history of art, the Warburg’s collection benefitted me greatly and I was keen to contribute to a library that had offered so much value to me and fellow researchers.  

I was drawn to the role at the Warburg due to the Library's unique classification system and open shelves, which encourages researchers to explore the interaction between ideas, images and society.

Edward III’s funerary monument in Westminster Abbey

You recently graduated (MA, History of Art) from the Courtauld Institute. Could you tell us a little more about your wider research interests? 

At the Courtauld, my research focussed predominantly on medieval visual culture. More specifically, I looked at art pertaining to the end of life and commemoration, with a particular emphasis on funerary monuments, their materiality and their relationship to the medieval viewer. My dissertation looked at the two funerary effigies of King Edward III at Westminster Abbey where I developed this further through a consideration of the royal body, likeness and the afterlife, and the legacy of a monarch in the medieval imagination. During my studies I became very familiar with the Warburg and it’s unique classification system encouraged me to discover books I didn’t even know I was looking for, furthering my research and providing me with new perspectives on the study of medieval art and visual culture. 

Opening the stacks on a crisp winter morning

What is a typical day for you as a Graduate Library Trainee? 

As a graduate trainee I get to do a little bit of everything so days often vary. On a typical day I will spend several hours on the Library's reception desk. This involves opening the stacks, answering reader queries in person and via email, setting up new membership cards and giving library introductions to new readers. Alongside this I will also process inter-library loans, complete book orders and upload books to the Warburg Digital Library. When I’m not on the desk, I will often conduct research for and write blog posts, and catch up on any other ongoing projects or tasks from the other librarians. 

What has been your favourite part of the traineeship so far? 

In previous archive and collections jobs I’ve often worked behind the scenes, so working on the desk at the Warburg and being able to assist and talk to researchers of all levels has been a highlight. Due to the collections’ interdisciplinary nature the research conducted is always varied so it’s great to be able to discuss this with readers and students.  

In previous archive and collections jobs I’ve often worked behind the scenes, so working on the desk at the Warburg and being able to assist and talk to researchers of all levels has been a highlight.

Have you encountered any challenges?  

Joining the team at the height of the Warburg Renaissance Project brings different challenges and new noises! However, all members of staff and readers have been very understanding as I got to grips with the new layout and changes, whilst taking on new responsibilities as a Library Trainee. It is a true testament to how supportive everyone is here during a time of exciting change for the Institute. 

Concordante astronomiae cum theologia, Pierre d’Ailly

Have you come across any particularly fascinating books in the collection? 

As a medieval art historian, I find the majority of books in the Warburg collection fascinating, particularly on the first floor (Image, Classmark C). However, a trip to the Rare Books Room always excites me as I get to look at and handle books that are deemed too rare or fragile for the open shelves. Often, the first books to jump out at me are those bound in fragments of the leaves of medieval manuscripts, such as Concordante astronomiae cum theologia, Pierre d’Ailly (FAH 1620), the binding of which is reused velum from a liturgical manuscript - probably an antiphonary intended for use in choro. Though detached from its original context, this fragment is given a new life at the Warburg. The monograph looks at the connections between astronomy, astrology, and theology, which is visualised by a woodcut illustration on the first page depicting a theologian and an astrologer working together at a table.  

Concordante astronomiae cum theologia, Pierre d’Ailly
Concordante astronomiae cum theologia, Pierre d’Ailly

What advice would you give to someone thinking of applying for the Graduate Library Traineeship? 

Make the most of the online resources; browse the catalogue, explore the Warburg Digital Library, the Iconographic Database, and the blogs to get a virtual feel for the collections and what the Library has to offer. Don’t feel you need to have specialised in any area of the collections, as long as you have an interest in any section of the Warburg you should apply! 

...a trip to the Rare Books Room always excites me as I get to look at and handle books that are deemed too rare or fragile for the open shelves.

Do you have any future plans?  

Short term, I hope to broaden my experience of libraries by developing my skills at the Warburg, as well as visiting other libraries within London to get an idea of the different collections and opportunities within them. Special collections have also always interested me and I hope to enrol in one of the short courses offered by the London Rare Book Summer School to gain an insight into of the ways in which these books are cared for and understood. 

Apply now to be a Graduate Library Trainee

 

Maisie is one of two Graduate Trainees at the Warburg Library. Before beginning her traineeship, she received her BA and MA in History of Art from the University of Leeds and the Courtauld Institute of Art, respectively. Maisie has previous experience working and volunteering in archives and art and museum collections. Outside of work, she enjoys visiting art galleries, running, and going on trips to different cities, both in the UK and further afield.