EIU Booth Library

Exhibits 2009

• Barack Obama: 44th President of the United States.

  Prepared in conjunction with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president, this exhibit consists of images of the new president from magazine covers, newspaper articles covering his campaign, an account of his 2006 visit to Eastern's campus, books by and about Obama, and memorabilia from his election-night celebration in Chicago's Grant Park. The exhibit can be seen in the south lobby through January 23. Carl Lorber, Bob Hillman and Pam Ortega, curators.

• Wrapped in Pride Exhibits

  The Adinkra Cloth

  Adinkra cloth is a hand-printed fabric traditional to the Asante people of Ghana, West Africa. Adinkra literally means goodbye, which is reflective in artistic symbols linked with consoling proverbs. Adinkra cloth is known to be worn by leaders in mourning and during remembrance ceremonies. Not only are the symbols artistic, they also communicate philosophical and moral values of the Asante. Most Adinkra symbols can be found woven into Kente cloth strips, which are often used as borders for the Adinkra cloth. Jeanne Goble and Johna Shackles, library specialists, Booth Library, curators.

  Beyond Africa: Hand-Woven and Embroidered Textiles from Central and Southeast Asia

  Not only in Africa, but also throughout the world, native peoples developed textiles distinctively their own. Central and southeast Asia were no exceptions. Featured in this exhibit are such items as Indonesian Ikats from East Sumba; Hmong tribal costumes from the hills of Thailand; a betel bag from East Timor, Cambodian; and kalagas and decorative embroideries from Uzbekistan. Also on display are the implements of weaving, including a partial loom frame, shuttles and decorative loom pulleys. Robert Hillman, professor, Booth Library, curator.

  Fashionably Dead

  The Ga people of Ghana construct fantasy coffins that honor the memory of their loved ones. Many of these coffins reflect the interests or professions of the deceased while they were living, such as a hammer for a carpenter, a chicken for a farmer or a fish for a fisherman. Imagine your loved one being transported into the after-life in a beautifully crafted representational Mercedes, Cadillac, Coca-Cola bottle or stylish shoe. Jeanne Goble, Stacey Knight-Davis, Johna Shackles and Jacqueline Worden, curators.

  Ghanaian Craftsmanship

  The items in this exhibit highlight various art forms from Ghana collected during a visit in 2003. Wood and fabric arts are included. Natasha Gibbens-Amartey, curator.

  Ghanaian Kente and African-American Identity: The Socio Cultural Aspects

  The exhibit depicts the role played by Ghanaian Kente on the social and cultural life of diasporean Africans. Johnson Kuma, curator.

  Ghanaian Kente from a Chicago Collection

  Lender: Bennett Agyman of the Asanteman Association of Chicago and Midwest -- a subdivision of the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago Materials provided by Willie Morris, vice president of the EIU African Students Association.

  Local Spinners and Weavers

  The Countryside Spinners and Weavers Guild was formed in 1972 by a group of individuals interested in the fiber arts. Members have come from Charleston, Mattoon, Paris, Chrisman, Vandalia and other surrounding towns. Spinning produces yarn or thread. It was first done on a drop spindle. Available now are a variety of spinning wheels. This group uses processed fiber from sheep, alpaca, dogs, rabbits, cotton, flax, and the new synthetic fibers of soy silk, tencel and bamboo to produce yarn. Weaving on a loom produces cloth. Beyond spinning and weaving, individuals of this guild also do knitting, crocheting, dyeing, silk fusion, basketry, bobbin lace and other fiber-related activities. The exhibit brings together pieces woven by local artisans. Margaret Speer, curator.

• Women and War

  In celebration of Women's History and Awareness Month, the exhibit has special focus on the experiences of women during wars, past and present. The display includes books and other artifacts related to the contribution of women in different wars through history. The goal is to highlight the particular issues women face in society when countries are engaged in any kind of war. Throughout history, women have often been the unsung heros during and after times of war. It took 60 years for the fighting women in World War I to be recognized as veterans, and they were only recognized as veterans as a condescension in 1978 when Congress passed a bill to recognize them as veterans, albeit not retroactive. This exhibit was organized by Kiran Padmaraju, early childhood, elementary and middle level education, with special thanks to Stacey Knight-Davis of Booth Library. On display in the South Lobby through April 10.

• University Board Comedies

  This exhibit, located in the Reference Hallway, showcases a collection of University Board comedies written and performed by an EIU student. It displays pictures and comments about how Eastern students have enjoyed these productions, along with books they can find in the library about producing and directing and play writing. The exhibit is on display until April 3.

• National Poetry Month: “Is that the best line you've got?”

  To celebrate national poetry month, this display will highlight some of the most famous and well-loved lines of American poetry. Marvin Foyer through April 30. Curated by Janice Derr

• Sporting Milestones of the 1940s

  On display in the Booth Library Marvin Foyer is a poster that highlights important sporting events of the 1940s, including information on athletes such as Jackie Robinson, Margaret Osborne and Joe DiMaggio. Bradley Tolppanen is the curator.

• Confronting Democracy's Boundaries: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

  A series of debates between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln were held during the 1858 campaign for a U.S. Senate seat from Illinois. Slavery was the principal topic of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, which drew the attention of the entire nation. Douglas won the Senate seat, but the debates set the stage for Lincoln's successful presidential run in 1860.

  The exhibit, funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, contains information about the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the political climate of the time and the 1858 election results. Visitors can track the daily progress of Lincoln and Douglas through Illinois and the debates via a railroad track graphic. Historians from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum helped to develop the exhibit's content, text and graphics. The Lincoln Trails Libraries System is responsible for coordinating this traveling exhibition.

  The exhibit is on display in the Booth Library atrium April 1-30.

• National Library Week Exhibits

  Libraries Around the World and Did You Know? In celebration of National Library Week, this exhibit features photographs highlighting libraries located around the world and includes information about the variety of services available at Booth Library. The exhibit, located in the Reference Hallway through April 30, is curated by Arlene Brown, Lois Dickenson and Lee Whitacre.

  Booth Picks. Want to read a good book? Would you appreciate someone's recommendation? Stop by the Reference Hallway display cases and see what the faculty and staff of Booth have read and want to recommend to others. On display through April 30. Curators are Sarah Johnson, Lois Dickenson and Ellen Corrigan.

• Asian Heritage Month Exhibit

  In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, several Chinese masks, figurines and textiles are on display in the Marvin Foyer through the end of April.

• Women Of Valor In WWII

  American women played important roles during World War II -- at home, in the workforce and in uniform. Reluctant to enter the war, the United States quickly committed itself after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. That commitment included utilizing all of the American assets. . . including women. Nearly 400,000 women served, both at home and abroad, volunteering for the WAAC/WAC, WAVES, USMCWR, SPAR, WASP, ANC and the NNC. To find out more about these women in uniform, go to the North Lobby of Booth Library and view the exhibit, WOMEN OF VALOR, curated by Jeff Boshart and Dan Crews.

• World Within Our Reach

  Our world is full of information about so many different countries, most of which we couldn't even pin-point on a map! But the truth is, Eastern's campus is full of people from the very countries we know so little about. International students and faculty were given the opportunity to talk about their home countries and tell us what they would want us to know about their lives, the people they live with, the food they eat, etc.
  
  As part of the numerous activities organized by the Residence Hall Association for its Social Justice and Diversity Week, the Association of International Students has prepared a poster exhibition titled "The World Within Our Reach." Each poster has a country's flag, location on a world map, an exploded view of the country, a quick-facts list, pictures and a few words submitted by Eastern students and faculty. The exhibit is on display in the third floor hallway of Booth Library.

• An American in Genoa

  Student/photographer Lizzy Morse took exquisite photographs that capture the mood and spirit of the vibrant city of Genoa, Italy. Lizzy took these photographs on her travels with "Italy: The Good Life," an EIU summer faculty-led study abroad program that is hosted by the Philosophy Department. Her pictures are currently on display in Genoa in an exhibit entitled "An American in Genoa." Here at Booth Library, you can see those same striking photos which celebrate EIU's connection to the lovely European city of Genoa, Italy.

• Burl Ives Centennial: 1909-2009

  A student at Eastern in the 1920s, Burl Ives went on to become a celebrated singer, an award-winning film actor, a TV personality, a voice in children's films and an author. In honor of his long and distinguished career, Booth Library is hosting an exhibit this summer of images and artifacts pertaining to Burl Ives' life and career. The exhibit is on display in the North Lobby and the Marvin Foyer through August 2009.

• Greetings From Illinois: The Booth Library Postcard Collection

  Booth Library's extensive collection of 1,050 digitized postcard images of Illinois libraries is now available through the EIU Online Catalog and I-Share. The postcard collection focuses on the history of Illinois communities providing a glimpse into the past. The collection includes both interior and exterior views of buildings for schools, institutes, colleges, and universities. The exhibit highlights some of the postcards that relate to libraries, cultural heritage and education within our Illinois communities. The exhibit will be on display in the Marvin Foyer through September 30, 2009. Ellen K. Corrigan is the curator.

• Booth Library to host Harry Potter's World

  A new traveling exhibition will open at Booth Library on October 5, 2009. The exhibit features materials from the Library's History of Medicine collections, to explore Harry Potter's world, its roots in Renaissance science, and the ethical questions that affected not only the wizards in J.K. Rowling's books, but also the historical thinkers featured in the series. Exhibit panels feature the works of 15th and 16th century thinkers and also highlight illustrations from Renaissance texts of some of the fantastic creatures and plants featured in Harry Potter.
  
  A schedule of exhibition-related events is being developed. Those who are interested in presenting a program should contact Stacey Knight-Davis, slknight@eiu.edu.

• How well do you know the Constitution?

  How well do you know what this important document says about our rights? In observance of Constitution Day, a new exhibit, in the south lobby of Booth Library, highlights key points and interesting trivia about the United States Constitution. If you want to learn more, the exhibit also provides a sampling of the resources available in the library and encourages you to expand your knowledge and become a constitution expert. The exhibit will remain on display until the end of September.

• Banned Books Week Display

  Books They Don't Want You To Read is a new exhibit in the Booth Library South Lobby in observance of Banned Books Week, September 26-October 3, 2009. The books on display are a sampling of titles that have been challenged on banned. The exhibit will be on display through early October.

• Booth Welcomes World of Wizardry

  The exhibit Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine is featured in a recent article in the Daily Eastern News by reporter Claire Dau. The exhibit will be opening on October 5, 2009.

• Visit Harry Potter's World

  The national traveling exhibition Harry Potter's World is now open at Booth Library. Check out the schedule of exhibition events and join us at the library to explore the many aspects of Harry Potter's world!

• Re-encountering Shakespeare Through Film

  Located in the Booth Library Reference Hallway, 3000 Level North, Re-encountering Shakespeare Through Film celebrates motion pictures that explore Shakespearean comedies and tragedies. From the rollicking fun of "Kiss Me Kate" to the dark images of "A Thousand Acres," films reveal the Bard in new and interesting ways. The exhibit, prepared by Janice Derr and Karen Whisler, will be on display through Nov. 20.

• Lincoln Exhibit to Complement Embarras Valley Film Festival

  In conjunction with the Lincoln Bicentennial and the 2009 Embarras Valley Film Festival (EVFF), Booth Library will stage an exhibit entitled: "Abraham Lincoln in Film and Television." The exhibit will feature images of various fictionalized portrayals of Lincoln on the big screen and in television productions. Also included will be images from some of the important Lincoln documentaries. Highlighted, as well, will be Lincoln's connection to the Civil War and to Coles County. The exhibit will be placed in Booth Library's south lobby during the second week of November.

• Holiday Exhibits

  Throughout Booth Library, patrons can enjoy the many decorations on display for the holiday season including the following:

  Celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. Eid-ul-Adha marks the end of Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to the holy city Mecca. Also popularly known as the Festival of Sacrifice, this Muslim holiday commemorates Prophet Abraham's unselfish act of sacrificing his own son Ishmael to the One God, Allah. An exhibit on Eid-ul-Adah with photos of the Scared Mosque in Mecca and pictures of Muslims from the local area will be on display in the Marvin Foyer until January 2010.

  Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights, is an annual exhibit displayed in Booth Library during this season. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which this year begins at sundown on December 11. With blessings, games, and festive foods, Hanukkah celebrates the triumphs of ancient Jewish heroes. This exhibit will be on display in the Reference Hall East until January 2010.

  Kwanza. Celebrating the first fruits of the harvest, is an annual exhibit on display in Booth Library during this season by curator Johnson Kofi Kuma and graphic artists Bev Cruse and Jonathan Crask. Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration by African-Americans. The celebration lasts seven days (from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1). Each day is marked by the lighting of one of the seven candles, followed by prayers, food, music and dancing, reading and telling of stories, and other activities. The exhibit will be on display in the Reference Hall West until January 2010.

  Symbols of Christmas, is an annual exhibit on display in Booth Library during this season. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. Decorations commonly found in Christian homes include the Nativity scene. This exhibit will be on display in the Reference Hall until January 2010.