The Indicator

The University of Iowa Libraries Exhibitions Program for 1990-1991

THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

During February and March 1990 The University of Iowa Libraries presented an exhibition coinciding with Black History Month in February. This exhibit featured books, articles, photographs, and memorabilia from University collections and drew upon University Archives for materials on distinguished alumni, faculty and staff members, and campus associations, fraternities and sororities.

On February 6, 1990, Ms. Betty Jean Furgerson presented a lecture focusing on her experiences in higher education, with a reception following in the North Lobby of the Main Library. This exhibition was prepared by Grace Fitzgerald, Mary McInroy, Lucia Marino, and Harlan Sifford.

INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM: THE FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY

The First Amendment guarantees to citizens the right of free access to information. Two hundred years after the adoption of our Constitution, it is evident that this right must constantly be reasserted if it is to survive being regularly questioned and challenged. Because libraries have been dedicated to collecting and preserving all knowledge, the issues of how, and to whom, their collections should be made available have been subjects of great debate. From mid-March through May 1990 the University Libraries exhibition will feature the fundamental proclamations of intellectual freedom and will examine issues of censorship, book-banning, and access to information. The speaker at our annual Friends Dinner on March 29 will be Judith Krug, Director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom. This exhibition is being prepared by Mark Anderson and David Gregory.

"MAN'S" BEST FRIEND

This exhibition for Summer 1990 will feature a topic with wide appeal, demonstrating the Library's range of resources, such as dogs in art (including portraits, landscapes, cartoons, and advertising), dogs in myth and literature (including creation stories, children's books, poetry and fiction), working dogs (hearing-ear and seeing-eye dogs, search and rescue dogs, and herding dogs), and the dog in history. The exhibition will be prepared by Rijn Templeton and David Schoonover, with the assistance of Grace Fitzgerald.

THE ARTIST'S BOOK: INTO THE NINETIES

A phenomenon of the sixties and seventies that many predicted would not outlast the decades, the artist's book has established itself as an enduring artistic medium. Defined as "books produced by artists and intended as visual objects," the artist's book is conceived in its entirety by the artist; the textual matter, if any, is an integral part of this conception and is generally written or assembled by the artist. These works range from fairly conventional book structures to pieces which call into question the very definition of a book. To be presented in September and October of 1990, the exhibition will be prepared by Timothy Shipe and Harlan Sifford.

THE POPULARITY OF POE

The University Libraries collections on Edgar Allan Poe are extensive, ranging from multiple editions, translations, and criticism of his works through the major scholarly collection formed by Professor Thomas O. Mabbott, one of the primary American authorities on Poe. Choosing from examples in art and film as well as print, this exhibition may feature such topics as "Villains and Victims: the Characters of Poe;" "Methods of Madness: Torture in Poe;" "Scenes of the Crime: Setting in Poe;" and "Moments of Terror: Poe's Trademark." Judith Macy, Lucia Marino, and Rijn Templeton will prepare the exhibition, scheduled from November 1990 through January 1991.