Library Celebration

    I am excited to share our new Library Display just in time for National Library Week 2021 (April 4th to 10th). 

     Learn more about AU's library with photos pulled from the Archives. There are images from previous libraries where you can sneak glimpses of buildings that have been repurposed or no longer exist. 

     There are images of the construction of the current library in 1971, as well as images from it's opening. Looking through these - it is fun to see what has changed and what is the same.     

   

    Sprinkled throughout are also some fun facts about libraries in general. For example do you know what "Library Hand" is and why is went out of style? Let's just say this Librarian was excited to learn new Library trivia too! Here's a tidbit that didn't make it into the display: Some famous librarians or library workers include: Former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, author Lewis Carroll, former first lady Laura Bush and China's Mao Zedong! 

     The bottom is edged with Library posters of yesteryear - some dating back to Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1940s, others from previous National Book Weeks of the 60s and 70s. I think they are some great works of art and its fun to remember all the library posters from when I was younger. 

Libraries are often called invaluable because of the many great services they offer for free for their patrons, and while this can't put a number on everything, the ALA has this calculator for you to try out if you have ever wondered how much money using the library saves you. Give it a try here: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/library-value-calculator. 

I hope you enjoy this display and make sure to celebrate all the libraries in your life!

Intrigued by our Halloween posters? Learn more about Arthur Rackham within the AU Library collections

 

 

     You may have noticed the posters that the Library put up for its Trick or Treat display. We thought that they were the perfect tone for the night! You might not know however that those illustrations were drawn by Arthur Rackham, and that the AU Library has over 40 books that he illustrated in our Special Books Collection!

Arthur Rackham was one of the most prominent, and most popular, artists during the “Golden Age of Illustration” which is roughly 1890 to WWI. His unique style and the distinct look of his ink and watercolor illustrations stand out, and took advantage of the new printing technologies that allowed publishers to include color illustrations. 

    Rackham illustrated over 47 books including classics like Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland, and Rip Van Winkle. His illustrations were often included in deluxe editions that were published on vellum and signed (these were usually even as Christmas gifts), as well as on smaller trade printings of the books.

After his death in 1939, his works remained very popular. His images has been widely used by the greeting card industry and many of his books are still in print. In fact, Director Guillermo del Toro cites Rackham as an influence in “The Faun” in Pan’s Labryrinth.

        So what do you think of Rackham’s illustrations? Have you seen them before in one of your childhood favorites? Does his artistic style still match with the fantasy and fables he illustrated almost 100 years ago? Which one is your favorite?

Welcome

 Welcome back to our AU community! In case you haven't seen it yet, with the new semester we have new displays added to our interior cases. Using withdrawn books and book folding Jessica Byers created a display that we hope welcomes you back to AU. 

Take a closer look the next time you come into the library! These cases are located on the Main Floor surrounding the elevators.  We would love to hear your thoughts. 

If you have ideas about future displays or want to learn more about this display, please feel free to contact Jessica Byers, AU Library Curator and Reference Librarian, at jbyers7@ashland.edu.

Library Spotlight: Window Display

Have you seen the colorful new AU Library window displays? Presented by the Center for Academic Support and Ashland University Library, these clever and imaginative windows set just the right the tone for back-to-school. Special thanks to library student worker Zula Kile for her artistic contributions.