Category Archives: Libraries

And then there’s this library

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

I received a decent undergraduate education at the University of Florida. At the heart of the sprawling campus was a substantial library housing wide-ranging collections that  included rare book and manuscripts. It even had a terrific comic books collection. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Libraries, USA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Do Libraries Float

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

I love libraries and I love boats; what could be better than a library on a boat ? The Floating Library is a new pop-up project that will open at New York City’s Hudson River Pier 25 on the Lilac Museum … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Libraries, Museums, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Moving Pictures

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

As a collector and seller of antiquarian books, late at night I sometimes get the feeling that the illustrations are stirring. Now I have proof. The Smithsonian Libraries blog is teeming with gifs based on illustrations based on historical books and publications. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, History, Libraries, Museums | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Library Inside Out

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

This month, the New York Public Library is celebrating the joy of reading with its “I Read Everywhere” program. Readers, writers and librarians are being asked to share photos of their favorite summer reading spots with the hashtag #ireadeverywhere. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Just Books, No Cookies

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

h/t to the Greene County Public Library

Posted in Animation, Books, Libraries, movies, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Altered Books

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Minneapolis-based artist Joseph Decamillis resuscitates discarded old books by reworking the covers with inserted miniature oil paintings on copper and steel plates. Decamillis’ work transforms the volumes into sculptural pieces while adding a new narrative dimension with his postage stamp … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Libraries, USA | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Biblioart

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Los Angeles-based artist Mike Stilkey turns discarded library books into whimsical works of art. The one-time street artist creates wonderful mixed media portraits of people and animals that have a decidedly early 20th century vibe. You can see lots more of … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Libraries, USA | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Future Library

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Future Library is a public art project by Scottish artist Katie Paterson, which will slowly unfold over the next 100 years in the city of Oslo, Norway.A thousand trees have been planted in Normarka, a forest just outside Oslo. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Libraries, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Memorial Library

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Standing incongruously amidst the graves and memorials of the Jüdischer Friedhof Krems are three wooden bookcases. This library was created ten years ago by artists Martin Guttmann and Michael Clegg as a memorial to the destroyed Jewish community of Krems, … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Libraries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

That Old Book Aroma

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

As a bookseller and book collector, I’m surrounded by books every day. The distinctive scent of old books is a constant intoxicating companion. This fascinating infographic explains just what causes the aroma from antiquarian volumes, as well as new books.

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Libraries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment