The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the possible presence of Italian texts within private Dutch libraries; the final purpose of this work is to investigate the reason behind the presence of...Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to analyse the possible presence of Italian texts within private Dutch libraries; the final purpose of this work is to investigate the reason behind the presence of such texts in the Netherlands, whether it is linked to cases of cultural transfer or examples of diffusion of this language in the Netherlands.Show less
This thesis explores the use of Linked Open Data at academic libraries and in particular, Leiden University Libraries. It answers the question of what Linked Open Data is and how Leiden University...Show moreThis thesis explores the use of Linked Open Data at academic libraries and in particular, Leiden University Libraries. It answers the question of what Linked Open Data is and how Leiden University Libraries can implement Linked Open Data in their daily practices. In three parts, it explores the realm of Linked Open Data. The first part explores the concept of Linked Open Data. It entails a short history and the technical aspect of transforming regular data to Linked Open Data and the benefits of Linked Open Data. The second part focusses on the role of Linked Open Data at libraries that are at the forefront of Linked Open Data. The third part describes the specific situation of Leiden University Libraries and how they can integrate Linked Open Data in their daily activities. The practical implementation of Linked Open Data is tested in two case studies.Show less
This thesis proposes the notion of reading health as a bridge between scholarly research in reading on one hand and policy on the other. Examining existing research and current dilemmas that...Show moreThis thesis proposes the notion of reading health as a bridge between scholarly research in reading on one hand and policy on the other. Examining existing research and current dilemmas that pertain to reading studies, the author suggests a set of principles and guidelines for the operationalisation of the notion on a transnational level that could aid policy-makers in making use of relevant research to better inform measures aimed at improving the state of reading in society.Show less
In this thesis, I described the characteristics of the various bibliometric indicators in use today, Moreover, I discussed how these indicators are used as marketing tools by journals, leading to...Show moreIn this thesis, I described the characteristics of the various bibliometric indicators in use today, Moreover, I discussed how these indicators are used as marketing tools by journals, leading to some journals exploiting their inherent properties for their own interests. Overall, while all the bibliometric indicators have their own advantages, the inherent quantitative nature for citation counts allows journals to exploit them. As a result, although journals and researchers should ideally share a symbiotic process in the entire research process, the power is shifted in the favour of the journal. A major reason for this is the publish or perish culture prevalent in research institutions today; this culture has put researchers and even their institutions on the back-foot, as they need journals with high ratings according to the bibliometric indicators more than the journals need their content. Therefore, creating a more balanced relationship between all stakeholders in academic publishing is the need of the hour and this can only be achieved if all parties are committed to working for the welfare of the society as whole. This will only be possible if all stakeholders strive to collaborate to come up with solution that considers the well-being and interests of all involved.Show less
This thesis explores the inverse relationship between Fake News and Deep Reading, considering that the former is growing and the latter is declining. Of its two aims, the first is to explain why...Show moreThis thesis explores the inverse relationship between Fake News and Deep Reading, considering that the former is growing and the latter is declining. Of its two aims, the first is to explain why these trends might be occurring. The second and more important aim is to explore whether reversing the Deep Reading trend - in other words, not only stemming the loss of this skill but promoting it and increasing its prevalence in society - would lead to a subsequent reverse in the Fake News trend, reducing its influence, and, subsequently, its volume.Show less
With the help of biographical information, psychology, and linguistics to provide necessary context, this thesis aims to apply different algorithmic textual analyses of Vincent van Gogh’s...Show moreWith the help of biographical information, psychology, and linguistics to provide necessary context, this thesis aims to apply different algorithmic textual analyses of Vincent van Gogh’s correspondence in order to establish a connection between his mental state and the language he uses in his letters.Show less
According to Frank Furedi in his book 'Power of Reading', the act of reading runs the risk of being culturally devalued. The reason for this risk is accoring to Furedi, that reading is perceived...Show moreAccording to Frank Furedi in his book 'Power of Reading', the act of reading runs the risk of being culturally devalued. The reason for this risk is accoring to Furedi, that reading is perceived nowadays as a cognitive skill without cultural value. In this thesis, I show that reading is treated not as a cognitive skill, but as a moral skill in Dutch education. I do this by discussing multiple definitions for reading and types of reading, addressing the process of learning to read in Dutch education, and investigating the moral connotations that literary education bears in Dutch high schools. Although I do not agree with Frank Furedi, I acknowledge in my thesis that reading is under threat - and thereby society as well. In response to this, I propose a number of changes to Dutch primary and secondary education.Show less
This thesis aims at presenting Gregorio Leti (1630 - 1701) through the books he owned and using the auction catalogue established at his death. This unique approach paints a picture of a well-read...Show moreThis thesis aims at presenting Gregorio Leti (1630 - 1701) through the books he owned and using the auction catalogue established at his death. This unique approach paints a picture of a well-read man with connections in influential literary circles and interest in literary and philosophical topics. This analysis required the creation of an extensive database, transcribing and fixing mistakes from the auction catalogue from 1701. This database supported the quantitative and qualitative observations on Leti’s reading habits and interests. Quantitatively, the database agreed with the usual accounts of Leti's life as a typical seventeenth-century academic and educated historian, accounts that have been discussed in the few bibliographies focusing on Leti. Qualitatively, this thesis highlighted a thoroughness and range of interest matching the profile of a seventeenth-century scholar. While analysing Leti’s life and personality, this thesis also introduces some changes in the seventeenth century, including an analysis of philosophical and literary movements that became more prominent in this period.Show less
This study examines the transmission of Ludovico Maria Sinistrari’s De Daemonialitate in light of previously unexamined manuscripts and archival material that bear upon issues of authenticity,...Show moreThis study examines the transmission of Ludovico Maria Sinistrari’s De Daemonialitate in light of previously unexamined manuscripts and archival material that bear upon issues of authenticity, manuscript circulation, and reception. New material pertaining to the Liseux manuscript is examined which should help dispel the widely spread notion of a bibliographical hoax perpetuated by Isidore Liseux or Paul Lacroix. An analysis of Liseux’s transcription in relation to six other extant manuscripts demonstrates that it is not based on Sinistrari’s holograph MS but rather a later witness with several notable textual corruptions. A preliminary stemma codicum is suggested based on an examination of all extant MSS and the Daemonialitas text from the Albrizzi and Gianni editions of De Delictis et Poenis. On the basis of the evidence reviewed in this study the argument is made that the most plausible explanation for the expurgation of De Daemonialitate is Sinistrari’s advocacy of suffumigation over the approved ceremonies of the Roman Rituale and his arguments against the limits of ecclesiastical authority and scripture when it comes to the question of the existence of incubi and succubi. This study proves that despite the forty-five year prohibition of Sinistrari’s De Delictis et Poenis, the Daemonialitate manuscript was still clandestinely circulated amongst monks of the Franciscan order. The later legacy of De Daemonialitate is also considered through an examination of all print editions from 1875-1927.Show less
The competition for publishers becomes fiercer every day. To ensure that people will buy more books, new initiatives are always considered. However, the past should not be forgotten. During the...Show moreThe competition for publishers becomes fiercer every day. To ensure that people will buy more books, new initiatives are always considered. However, the past should not be forgotten. During the nineteenth century, the answer to turning reading potential into a reading audience was book series. Book subscriptions are the modern equivalent, but not many publishers in The Netherlands are offering this service. To see whether book subscriptions could be successful, this thesis compares the reading culture of the nineteenth century to the twenty-first. By considering reading and production potential, obstacles, the concept of book series and book subscriptions, and the effects of these initiatives, from both the reader’s and publisher’s side, a comparison can be made between the two centuries. This thesis argues that book subscriptions are very suitable for the twenty-first century and could motivate people in The Netherlands to read more, which is supported by the many similarities to be found between the reading culture of this time period and of the nineteenth century, when a similar phenomenon, i.e. book series, was successful.Show less
