From tiny to gigantic, Hill Memorial Library contains some pieces of history that one might not even know exists.
Hill Memorial is hosting its first open house Oct. 1 for members of the student body and the public to view some of the special collection items the library has to offer. The library will pull selections from over 5,000 manuscripts, 80,000 rare books and thousands of photographs.
New Head of Special Collections Jessica Lacher-Feldman will be available to meet members of the student body and help those interested in the collections find what they are looking for. There are always two displays in the library, this will give the public the chance to discover some new things they haven’t seen before.
Lacher-Feldman said students would normally have to request items from Hill Memorial employees for special viewing. At the open house, there will be items pulled and employees present to explain the history of the different pieces,
she said.
“One of my major goals with this open house is to demystify Hill Memorial Library,”
Lacher-Feldman said.
Though the library is always open to students, it’s often used for class tours so students can relate to course material. The open house will allow people to peruse the collections the library has to
offer.
Lacher-Feldman said one of the selections that may appear at the open house is a letter book of William C. C. Claiborne, the first governor of Louisiana after U.S. statehood was established. The book contains letters that Claiborne sent to Thomas Jefferson during the transition period after the Louisiana
Purchase.
Hill Memorial also has some books from the 15th century that will be available to view, Lacher-Feldman said. These books are often referred to as “incunable,” meaning “from the cradle,” and are some of the earliest examples of print, according to Michael Taylor, assistant curator of
books.
Everything from 15th century books to comic books from the ’70s can be accessible to students and the public Lacher-Feldman said. Though this is the first open house Hill Memorial has had, there are always small events and displays in the library she said.
One display present now is a section dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the famous “earthquake game” against Auburn when Tiger Stadium roared so loudly it registered as an earthquake on a seismograph. Saturday’s game against Auburn will mark 25 years since the fabled occurrence and the original reading is available to view in
Hill Memorial.
“One of my major goals with this open house is to demystify Hill Memorial Library.”

Gallery • 2 Photos

Charles Champagne

Antique comic books are displayed Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2013 at the Hill Memorial Library in preparation for there Thursday open house.