A Good Great PlaceExhibits and Outreach at the University of Michigan Library

Melissa LevineExhibits and Outreach Librarian, University of Michigan Library

Michigan Academy of Science Arts & Letters

March 20, 2009

about the library

• Hatcher Graduate Library

• 18 libraries ‘in one’• 1920, Alfred Kahn

building

about the library

• one of the largest university library systems in the United States

• 18 libraries in 11 buildings, which, taken together, hold over 8 million volumes and serve more than 3 million patrons on-site per year

• a pioneer in digitization efforts, and its partnership with Google to digitize its collection will potentially revolutionize how scholars and students work.

history and collections

• Library created in1837• Audubon's Birds of

America, the library's first purchase, acquired in 1838

• 3,400 volumes within short time

• Labadie, Papyrus…

In the olden days…

now...

• Collections accessible in reading rooms

• Public welcome but no practical exhibit space for precious items

• No location for public programs

• Growing attention to digital resources - library is everywhere and yet…

the idea…

• Room 100, great location on Diag• Cataloging, internal functions in past• Desire for public service, access,

awareness of Library for students, faculty, and general public

• Community engagement…

Bo Schembechler: A Michigan ManOctober 2007

• Initiated by development office

• Honored beloved coach

• Few artifacts, lots of atmosphere

• Tremendous response

Letters to SalaFebruary 2008

• On loan from NYPL• Public programs

drew tremendous local response

Graduation 2008

-Stadium construction = graduation on the Diag-Room 100 was staging location-brought tremendous attention to previously unnoticed space

-coincided with decision to create new Exhibits and Outreach position; hired June 2008

Key - work with what we have and opportunities as they arise…

A good, great place…

• Ray Oldenberg, Sociologist, Author• ‘Third space’ - public engagement, core of

democracy, informal• ‘not home or work’• 9,000 square feet• Library tables, students study, rearrange• organic…

Gallery in Room 100

• A forum to generate discussion and a spirit of cooperative exploration.

• Meant to be a lively place reflecting the dynamic nature of the University of Michigan’s research and teaching activities.

Policy and procedure…Shape efforts, resource…www.lib.umich.edu/gallery

Framework…

• Gathering place for enrichment of intellectual, educational and cultural life of campus and community

Framework…

• Showcase and interpret collections, promote scholarly use, facilitate scholarship and storytelling

• Support Library’s role as intellectual center of University

Framework…

• Foster relationships between and among Mlibrary,faculty, students, alumni, staff, state and local community

The Whole World Was Watching: Revolution and Protest in 1968September 2008

evolution…

• Informal gallery talks• Library ‘treasures’ exhibits with staff• Anti apartheid protest exhibit, Kellogg Foundation• Doctor on post traumatic stress disorder• State Department on diversity in foreign service• first African American women surgeon• screens for inauguration of President Obama• African Studies Center event• Ed Kashi exhibit and program (oil in Nigeria)• Open Access Week

A good, great place.

Plans for exhibit casework underway

www.lib.umich.edu/gallerywww.lib.umich.edu/events