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Category: Events

Calling All Steampunk Fans!

Trina Brown
November 23, 2012
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Photo of author Rosalind Williams
Author Rosalind Williams

Engineering Romance in Late 19th Century Literature, featuring Rosalind Williams
Date: November 28, 2012, 5:00 pm
Location: Smithsonian Institution Castle

Jules Verne (1828-1905) and Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) were well-known writers of romance in the late l9th century.  They were also fascinated by engineering, both as well-informed observers and as lay engineers. This talk will describe this convergence of engineering and romance in their lives and times and reflect upon its implications for our own lives and times. This event will take place on Wednesday, November 28 at 5:00 p.m. in the Smithsonian Institution Castle building.

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Join us for a day of Catesby!

Liz O'Brien
November 2, 2012
1 Comment
Join us for a day of Catesby!Magnolia from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands

Magnolia from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama IslandsThe Smithsonian Libraries, in conjunction with the National Museum of Natural History, will host a series of lectures on both Mark Catesby’s art and science for the Catesby Commemorative Trust on Tuesday, November 6. This gathering celebrates the 300th anniversary of Englishman Catesby’s arrival in North America. The visit to the Smithsonian is part of a six-day, three-city symposium that will include lectures by more than 20 presenters from various disciplines including art, wildlife, natural history, conservation and economics.

The English naturalist published The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands in three volumes from 1729 to 1747, making it the first published account of the flora and fauna of the New World. The Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Rare Book Library contains a first edition copy of The Natural History, which will be displayed after the symposium. This work, along with others by Catesby, can also be seen online at the Biodiversity Heritage Library.

This event is FREE and open to the public! 

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Editing Wikipedia: Better with friends, and best with librarians!

Sara Snyder
October 24, 2012
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Smithsonian WLL 2012 Barnstar
SIL’s WLL Barnstar

This post was written by guest author Sara Snyder, Webmaster at the Archives of American Art.

Have you ever tried to write or edit a Wikipedia article? It can be really a fun and rewarding experience, especially for library, archives, or museum professionals, since we are often passionately dedicated to sharing knowledge. If you have tried it, then you already know that it is not easy for newcomers to just jump in and start editing. The design of the wiki interface can be intimidating, and the norms and rules of the Wikipedia online community can be mystifying. New editors often have their work changed or reverted, which frustrates them.

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Smithsonian Libraries Events Update

Tina Morrison
October 15, 2012
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Guests were invited on a rare books tour in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History prior to the dinner.It’s been a busy fall for the Smithsonian Libraries!

In tandem with the National Book Festival, the Smithsonian Libraries hosted nine renowned authors at an intimate dinner on Saturday, September 22nd. The distinguished group included Geraldine Brooks, Charlaine Harris, Tony Horwitz, Katherine Neville, Christopher Paolini, Lisa Scottoline, Francesca Serritella, Sally Bedell Smith, and R. L. Stine. Read on for our upcoming events!

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Adopt-a-Book Event a Success!

Liz O'Brien
October 1, 2012
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A table full of adopted books.

The Smithsonian Libraries would like to thank all who attended and supported our first Adopt-a-Book event held at the Smithsonian Castle on Thursday, September 13. Over 25 books were adopted from our Cooper-Hewitt National Design Library, Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library for Natural History, and the Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology.

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“Hidden Treasures” at the Heinz Center

Erin Rushing
September 28, 2012
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The post was written by Vanessa Haight Smith, book conservator and head of Preservation Services.

On August 19th, I participated in the fifth annual “Hidden Treasures” event at the SI affiliate, the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.  Visitors to the popular event are encouraged to bring their prized possessions  to the History Center and meet with professional appraisers as the local CBS affiliate, KDKA-TV, cameras roam the museum.

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