Students’ hands-on access to Yale Library’s collections inspired exhibits

From an exploration of the Yale fossil-hunting expeditions of the 1870s to an examination of “angry” annotations in early modern books to a study of urban development in 17^th-century Japan to look at an influential, though widely forgotten, figure in the American recording industry — four student-curated exhibits now on view at Sterling Memorial Library demonstrate the depth and breadth of the Yale University Library’s collections.

Located in the library’s Exhibit Corridor, the exhibits offer a window into completed and ongoing research by Yale students.  The curators are David McCullough ’17; Eve Houghton ’17; Mary Jones, a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; and John D’Amico ’16. B.A.     

“We are delighted to provide students the opportunity to showcase their exceptional research,” says University Librarian Susan Gibbons. “Our staff is dedicated to providing students access to Yale’s remarkable collections. The exhibits demonstrate how first-hand encounters with these materials inspires creativity and critical thinking.”

The library’s research exhibit program highlights the work of students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their research and to using the library’s resources. The library’s Exhibit Advisory Committee selected the student curators from nominations provided by Yale librarians and faculty.

The exhibits will be on view through April 30, 2016.

“Othniel Charles Marsh and the Yale College Fossil Hunting Expeditions of 1870-1873”

Upon hearing reports about ancient bones being found in the western frontier, Yale paleontologist Othniel Charles (O.C.) Marsh headed west in 1868 and saw great opportunities in the rolling plains and scorched landscapes. Over the next four summers, he organized expeditions to the West in search of fossil specimens.

Continue reading

“’Shocking Calumnies’: The Angry Reader and the Early Modern Book”

John Stow, a 16^th-century historian and antiquarian, became agitated, even outraged, while reading Richard Grafton’s “Abridgement of the Chronicles of England,” believing that his rival had plagiarized him.

Continue reading.

“Just for the Record: Letters of a Columbia Executive”

Though most people today have probably never heard of Goddard Lieberson, he was a highly influential figure in the American recording industry during the mid-20^th century, holding nearly every position possible at Columbia Records before becoming the label’s president in 1965.

Continue reading.

 ”Dōtonbori and Ōsaka’s Urban History”

John D’Amico was studying at the University of Ōsaka on a Robert Lyons Danly Fellowship when he had the chance to view a recently discovered map of Dōtonbori — a 400-year-old canal in the southern part of the city that serves as a cultural and entertainment hub.

Continue reading.