One of the most frequently asked questions about items in our collections is “How did we get this?” Our new exhibit, Storied Acquisitions: Highlights from the University of Michigan Library Collections, explores this question while celebrating the strength and breadth of the Library’s collections. From student work to spoils of war, the materials on display tell the stories of some of the students, alumni, faculty, and donors who have helped build our distinctive collections.
Developed as part of our bicentennial celebrations, the exhibit features materials from the Art, Architecture, and Engineering Library; Music Library; Papyrology Collection; Special Collections Library; and Stephen S. Clark Library. Items displayed were created between the 4th century CE and 2016, and include everything from early printed books to a set of Civil War-era drawing tools.
Set of drawing tools from the Charles Ellet, Jr. Papers
So if you’d like to know when the library acquired its four millionth volume, how we got our collection of Islamic manuscripts, or whose Academy Award is in the Library’s collections, check out the exhibit in the Audubon Room in Hatcher Graduate Library now through August 30, or visit the online exhibit.
Look at Me! A New Movable Toybook (1891), from the William A. Gosling Pop-up and Movable Book Collection
