Houghton Library presents its biannual Philip and Frances Hofer Lecture
Thursday, November 9, 2017, 5.30-6.30pm
Lamont Library, Forum Room
Followed by a reception at Houghton Library

Books as Portals: Reading and Responding to Historical Collections in the 21st Century
Katherine M. Ruffin, Proprietor of Shinola Press and Book Studies and Book Arts Program Director at Wellesley College

Historical collections in libraries facilitate preservation of, and access to, individual books, as well as collections of associated items. Study of these collections can enhance scholarly inquiry. Books have the power to transmit text and image across space and time and to open up worlds of experience. As such, they can provide endless sources of inspiration for contemporary teaching and research. Through examining a variety of critical and creative projects based on reading and responding to books in historical collections, issues of labor, craftsmanship, quality, and beauty can be explored.

For further details on the speaker, go to Wellesley College Books Arts.

Please note that Harvard ID or other photo identification is required to enter Lamont Library.

Accessibility Information

Lamont Library’s main entrance is wheelchair-accessible, however Houghton Library is only directly accessible via a short flight of steps.

Let us know if we can make arrangements to assist you in accessing Houghton. Email or call 617-495-2441

Images courtesy of Katherine M. Ruffin