Making the Book, Past and Present

Making the Book, Past and Present promotional image

On display in the Main Library Gallery:

Making the Book, Past and Present explores the intersections of history, art, and practicality. What can we learn by placing books, materials, and makers from the Middle Ages through today in conversation with one another? Many techniques and materials common centuries ago still inspire contemporary book artists and bookbinders.  

Curated by Eric Ensley and Emily Martin, this exhibition features a global selection of rare historic books and modern book art. From medieval manuscripts and early modern works to recent book sculptures, pop-ups, and books that move, these Special Collections & Archives materials shown together make a visual feast representing the strong connection between books and makers past and present. 

MAIN LIBRARY GALLERY HOURS:

Monday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.

Admission is always FREE. The exhibition will be open Jan. 17–June 28, 2024.
Please note that the Main Library Gallery will be closed on the following University of Iowa holidays during the spring: Memorial Day (May 27)

Because the Main Library Gallery is an educational space on campus, there may occasionally be classes visiting during open hours. Thank you for your understanding.

The easiest way to access the Main Library Gallery is via the north entrance of the Main Library. Find parking options here: lib.uiowa.edu/locations/main/parking 

Monday, April 15, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, January 18, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, January 19, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, January 22, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, January 25, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, January 26, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, January 29, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, February 1, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, February 2, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, February 5, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, February 8, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, February 9, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, February 12, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, February 15, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, February 16, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, February 19, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, February 22, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, February 23, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, February 26, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, February 29, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, March 1, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, March 4, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, March 7, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, March 8, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, March 11, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, March 14, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, March 15, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, March 18, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, March 21, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, March 22, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, March 25, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, March 28, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, March 29, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, April 1, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, April 4, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, April 5, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, April 8, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, April 11, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, April 12, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, April 18, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, April 19, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, April 22, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, April 25, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, April 26, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, April 29, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, May 2, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, May 3, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, May 6, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, May 9, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, May 10, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, May 13, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, May 16, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, May 17, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, May 20, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, May 23, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, May 24, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, May 30, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, May 31, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, June 3, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, June 6, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, June 10, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, June 13, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, June 14, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, June 17, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, June 20, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, June 21, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, June 24, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday, June 27, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, June 28, 2024 9:00am to 6:00pm
University of Iowa Main Library
Main Library Gallery
125 West Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
View on Event Calendar
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Sara Pinkham in advance at 319-467-1805 or sara-pinkham@uiowa.edu.