Photos: Rare Books Collections White Glove Salon
Patrons gathered at the Honors College Commons in the MD Anderson Library for the Rare Books Collections White Glove Salon this week to engage with selected treasures from the collection alongside artists’ works which they inspired.
Head of UH Special Collections Christian Kelleher discusses a treasure from the Rare Books Collections with attendees at the White Glove Salon.
Dean of Libraries Lisa German welcomed attendees, along with the event co-host Leigh Owen, who is a member of the Libraries Dean’s Campaign Committee and Cabinet supporting the Rare Books Collections. Christian Kelleher, head of UH Special Collections, read the proclamation by Mayor Sylvester Turner which designated April 18, 2018 as University of Houston Libraries Rare Books Day. Curator Julie Grob introduced the collection.
UH Special Collections currently preserves more than 106,000 rare books, ranging from medieval manuscripts to contemporary artists’ books, as well as over 2,000 periodicals. The Rare Books Collections focus on rare Bibles, British and American literature, Houston and Texas history, Hispanic literature and history, LGBT literature and history, as well as fine press books.
The Rare Books Collections support scholarship and student success by serving as tools for hands-on discovery, original research, and the development of critical thinking skills. Materials are not only available to UH students and researchers, but to the community beyond the campus as well. Anyone can visit the Special Collections Reading Room to view the treasures in person.
“The Rare Book Collections of the University of Houston are of signature importance for scholars now, and in the future,” said Dean German. “This collection, along with our other Special Collections, is what distinguishes UH Libraries from others, and we are creating a real treasure for scholars at the University and around the world.”
