The Rare Book Room at the Central Library is home to significant collections of early printed and original books and manuscripts. In total, the Rare Book Room houses more than 5,000 literary and historic manuscripts and letters. To highlight some of the unique materials that are not normally on public display, the Rare Book Room creates timely displays of materials three to four times per year. These displays are often in conjunction with and complementary to the display in the Ring of Knowledge.

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Past Displays...


Now On Display: Movable Books: Revealing Unexpected Delight
Turn the page, twirl the dial, pull the tab, lift the flap --it is spontaneous pleasure to see what happens as pages in mechanical or pop-up books come alive. Disguised as ordinary books, the simple turn of a page transforms a two-dimensional leaf into a three-dimensional paper sculpture. Although pop-up books range greatly from simple to complex designs and from plain to ornate graphic imagery, mechanical books are sure amusement for all ages.