Have you ever wanted to see rare items housed in the Rose Library — such as a crystal ball, an author’s draft of a famous novel or a Civil War sword — but didn’t want to make an appointment? Or are you unsure of what’s in the library? There’s an easy way you can find out and enjoy unique treasures: Miscellaneous Monthly open house events.
These events, organized by Rose outreach archivist Gaby Hale, are a great way to see a selection of objects from a cross-section of collections, all pertaining to a different monthly theme. Free and open to the public, Miscellaneous Monthly is held in the Rose Library on the third Tuesday of the month from 1-3 p.m.
This popular series draws in Emory University students, faculty, staff and Atlanta community members who love history, offering an up-close experience with original materials that can spark ideas for research papers and class projects, independent research, book writing and other creative projects.
“This is such a joyful event,” says Elizabeth Ott, director of the Stuart A. Rose Library. “People always find something unexpected, or they connect with a collection item they otherwise never would have encountered.”
The next Miscellaneous Month will be Tuesday, Dec. 16, with the theme of typewriters and their impact on literature, activism and art. The event is in conjunction with Woodruff Library’s “Striking Characters” exhibition (running until Dec. 20 in the Schatten Gallery) and will feature items connected to typewriters, including first editions of “The Wiz” and “Dracula,” whose authors used a typewriter to produce their drafts.
How it started, how it’s going
Hale created Miscellaneous Monthly to share Rose Library materials for curiosity and enjoyment. Although the Rose Library archives are open to everyone (including students, the public and researchers), appointments are required so staff can retrieve materials, some of which are stored off-site.
“This is the first archive I’ve worked at that is appointment-only based, and I’ve seen at previous institutions how much it benefited people just to be able to come in and see materials without an appointment,” says Hale. “Obviously, there are real restrictions on what we can do here at Rose, given our off-site items. I wanted to give people an opportunity to see items without the pressure of having a reason to come to do research, because it can be really daunting to have to choose what to see when you’re just generally interested in history.”
Ott says the monthly series benefits both the Rose Library and those who attend the event.
“At Rose Library, we value discovery — serendipitous moments of encounter that can reshape how people see themselves and understand history,” says Ott. “Miscellaneous Monthly is a program that allows students, faculty, staff and the general public to make unexpected discoveries among our collections.”
Ott agrees that giving people access to rare and historic materials helps them develop an interest in these collections.
“One of Rose Library's highest priorities is reducing barriers to access,” she says. “This event series embodies this principle — collections not under glass in an exhibit, but right there where patrons can touch and interact with them, turning pages and looking through folders, without having to have a research question or assignment to complete.”
A different theme every month
Even in the 15th century, people were thinking about unicorns. This image courtesy of Stuart A. Rose Library is from the book “The history of four-footed beasts and serpents” by Edward Topsell, published in 1658.
October’s Halloween-themed event featured archival items such as a crystal ball and fortune telling cards (from the Mamie Wade Avant papers), Halloween party Polaroids and scrapbooks (Jon Arge photographs and the Royce Soble papers), materials made by cult members (Father Divine papers and Daddy Grace collection), and first editions of tales by Mary Shelley, Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Dickens and Ted Hughes.
Other themes have included Animals in the Archives, which featured a photo of a lion cub at a birthday party for 6-year-old Carl Hartsfield, son of former Atlanta mayor William Berry Hartsfield.
“It felt very ‘Tiger King,’” Hale says with a laugh, referring to the documentary-style show featuring Joe Exotic and his life with wild cats.
Hale also pulled a book published in 1658, titled “The history of four-footed beasts and serpents” by Edward Topsell, which depicts real and fantastical animals. “It’s a very well-known rare book that has amazing illustrations and descriptions of animals,” she says. “It's a very fun book. People really enjoyed that one.”
A growing audience
As word spreads, attendance at Miscellaneous Monthly is growing. Students and Emory library staff are steady supporters, as well as Oxford College librarians and MacMillian Law librarians. The events have even drawn staff from non-Emory institutions, like Georgia Tech and Georgia State.
Hale has also seen more people from the Atlanta community attending these sessions, with many citing their interest in history. Liza Dolensky, who graduated from Emory in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology, attended the November event with her friend, Bobbie Jo Nelson, a former librarian.
Dolensky owns the online shop Better Dresses Vintage, where she sells authentic vintage and antique women’s clothing and accessories. Nelson enjoys history and costuming and is a member of Atlanta Time Travelers, a vintage and historic clothing enthusiast group. Both are knowledgeable about vintage clothing.
“We went because it was fashion related, which is what we’re into, but I’ve now put it on my calendar as a recurring event,” Dolensky says. “I thought the selections were diverse and interesting, and appealing to a wide audience. It showed some of the changes over time, and the material was inclusive. Gaby was delightful.”
Hale says as she shares the stories behind various materials, conversation starts with the attendees, and she learns more about the items and the timelines in which they occurred.
“I love getting to learn from the people who come, because I’m not an expert by any means on all of these items,” says Hale.
One session included materials about the proposed Presidential Parkway in the 1980s and the community-led opposition to its potential impact on neighborhoods and parks.
“Someone was at the event who talked about their personal experiences with that,” Hale recalls. “So now, every time I have those items out, I have that background with me that I can talk more richly about these items than I could before.”
Miscellaneous Monthly events for each month can be found on the Emory Libraries events calendar page and on the Rose Library’s Instagram account.
For more information on the Miscellaneous Monthly events, email the Rose Library or contact Gaby Hale.
Miscellaneous Monthly open houseWhen: Third Tuesday of the month, 1-3 p.m. Where: Rose Library, 10th floor of Robert W. Woodruff Library Cost: Free and open to the public; groups welcome Next event: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1-3 p.m. (The Woodruff Library is restricted to Emory cardholders only during this week due to final exams, so members of the public should send an email to gaby.hale@emory.edu in advance to let her know they are coming so she can arrange their access to the library.) See the calendar entry for more details. Theme: In conjunction with Woodruff Library’s “Striking Characters” exhibition (running until Dec. 20 in the Schatten Gallery), the event will display items connected to typewriters, including first editions of “The Wiz” and “Dracula,” whose authors used a typewriter to produce their drafts. |