It’s National Library Week 2020! This year’s theme is “Find your place at the library.” While the Smithsonian Libraries has closed its 21 physical branches during the COVID-19 outbreak, our more »
Author: Liz O'Brien
The Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents voted Oct. 21 to appoint Carmen Agra Deedy and Brandon Neal to the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board in 2020. They will join 17 community more »
Cheryl Braunstein, curator of Game Change: Elephants from Prey to Preservation, is the former manager of exhibit planning and development at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. In this role, Braunstein oversaw more »
Mary Augusta Thomas, deputy director of Smithsonian Libraries, retires at the end of September 2019. As deputy director, Mary Augusta directed the operations of 21 libraries located in each of more »
Species Named For Smithsonian Libraries and Biodiversity Heritage Library Two new fossil fly species have been named in honor of the Smithsonian Libraries and the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Sylvicola silibrarius more »
Anyone interested in knowing more about the African diaspora, American slavery, or the twentieth century African American migration to northern U.S. cities will find insights at the National Museum of more »
The Smithsonian Libraries presents a new exhibition, “Magnificent Obsessions: Why We Collect,” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History beginning Nov. 7. “Magnificent Obsessions” will be on display through July 1, 2020.
“Magnificent Obsessions” tells the captivating stories of the book collectors whose diverse interests and passions helped shape—and continue to contribute to—the Smithsonian Libraries. Through rare books, manuscripts and other intriguing items from across the varied Libraries of the Smithsonian, the exhibition highlights the personal motivations and enduring impact of book collectors who were compelled to share their “magnificent obsessions” with the nation.