Going Beyond the Reading Room

From "If the foot fits," "Beyond the Reading Room," March 2013.

Our blog “Beyond the Reading Room” has become one of the best places to learn about what goes on behind-the-scenes at the Library Company. Started in 2009, our staff members share their latest curatorial discoveries and research interests. This March, Chief of Reference Connie King was able to identify the mystery women from the American Book of Beauty by reaching out to our dedicated readers. Curator of Art and Artifacts Linda August shared the recent discovery of a missing foot from William Penn’s desk, and earlier this year, Digital Collections Manager Nicole Joniec explored the life of magician, necromancer, and ventriloquist Signor Blitz by examining objects from the Print Department.

From "Medallions on 19th Century Bindings," "Beyond the Reading Room,"August 2012.

These informal blog posts from our staff members provide insight into new topics of exploration in their research. Chief of Conservation Jennifer Rosner wrote a blog entry about papier-mâché bindings while completing her essay “Papier-Mâché Bindings: Shining in Black and Gorgeous with Pearl and Gold,” published in Suave Mechanicals: Essays on the History of Bookbinding, vol. 1. Concetta Barbera, Digitization Technician, studied Victorian photocollages to create an invitation for our “Philadelphia on Stone” exhibition, and her work on our upcoming exhibition “Remnants of Everyday Life” is sure to be fodder for future blog posts.