ABA Educational Trust

Supporting the next generation of rare book specialists

The ABA Educational Trust exists to foster knowledge and appreciation of the book as a cultural artefact — from early printing to modern fine press. Through education, research, and outreach, the Trust helps ensure that the traditions and expertise of the antiquarian book trade are passed on and remain relevant in the 21st century.

What We Do

The Trust actively supports learning in the field of rare books and the history of the book. We fund or contribute to:

• Courses and workshops

• Seminars and conferences

• Prizes and publications

• Lectures and public events

• Individual bursaries for students and early-career professionals

Antiquarian booksellers play a vital role in keeping book history alive. They don’t just sell books — they preserve knowledge, share discoveries, and connect people to the past through the printed word. Many are self-taught experts, having absorbed vast experience over time. Unsurprisingly, booksellers often make some of the best teachers and mentors in the field.

Investing in the Future: The ABA Traineeship Scheme

*Please note that funding for this year has now been awarded. Applications will be considered again in Summer 2026*

To help bring new talent into the trade, the Trust launched the ABA Traineeship Scheme (formerly the Apprenticeship Scheme). This programme revives the traditional model of hands-on learning, offering new entrants the opportunity to train with experienced ABA booksellers.

• The scheme funds two-year, full-time traineeships with ABA members across the UK.

• Each trainee follows a structured curriculum designed by the Trust, covering all core aspects of the rare book trade — from cataloguing and research to conservation, pricing, and customer care.

• The aim is to produce confident, competent junior booksellers, ready to pursue a career in this fascinating and multifaceted world.

The first two trainees were placed in autumn 2014, and the scheme continues to grow

How the Scheme Works

The ABA Traineeship Scheme is employer-led. Traineeships arise where an ABA member and a prospective trainee have already identified each other and wish to work together.

The Trust does not operate as a placement or matching service. Instead, it provides funding and oversight for traineeships that have been agreed in principle between both parties.

The traineeship scheme is intended for candidates who may not have followed a conventional academic or professional route into the rare book trade.

We are particularly keen to support applicants who have had limited access to higher education or relevant professional opportunities, are seeking a first step into the trade from outside traditional pathways, and are open to working with smaller bookselling firms, often outside London.

The scheme is funded by charitable donations and supports only a few trainees at a time. We typically fund one to three traineeships across the UK, and in some years no placements are available.

For prospective trainees

If you are interested in entering the trade, we recommend that you approach ABA members directly to explore opportunities.

If you reach an agreement with a bookseller who is willing to take you on under the scheme, a joint application can then be made to the Trust.

You are welcome to contact us informally for guidance, but expressions of interest alone are unlikely to lead to placement. While we cannot match candidates to booksellers, we are happy to advise on how best to approach the trade and strengthen your prospects.

For ABA members

ABA members who wish to take on a trainee under the scheme should identify a suitable candidate and apply to the Trust for funding support.

Making an application

Applications are made jointly by the ABA member and the prospective trainee. Details of the application process and required documentation will be provided on request.

Eligibility

The scheme is only open to candidates who have an existing right to work in the UK.

Who We Are

Trustees: Daniel Crouch, Adam Douglas, Anthony Smithson

Committee members: Simon Beattie, Justin Croft, Theodora Robinson, Sophie Schneideman

Antiquarian Booksellers Association Educational Trust is a registered charity, number 1138013