Exhibits Highlight the Library’s Collection and University Events A variety of exhibits throughout the Library coincide with noteworthy events while highlighting the collection. Part of the display in the Library’s lobby exhibit case for the University authors’ publications of 2015. The Cheng Library is fortunate to have among its staff talented and energetic members who plan and create attractive displays throughout the Library. Over the years, some of the displays have been impressive in their complexity and composition. Most exhibits are scheduled to celebrate significant events or holidays and designed to display and promote the resources of the Cheng Library. Collectively, these displays serve to draw attention to sections of the collection that correspond with timely topics or are noteworthy for their subject matter. Some exhibits are designed for a specific lecture or conference, for example the Distinguished Lecturers’ Conference. A special exhibit is always created in the lobby case following the annual Authors’ Reception and includes books and articles listed in the bibliography. This event coincides with the University’s Research and Scholarship Day. Exhibits are frequently developed in support of the curriculum and the overall cultural and intellectual events of the University. Occasionally, interesting and instructive materials from the local community may be incorporated into a display. In addition to books from the Library’s collection, exhibits feature materials obtained from a variety of sources, and staff members frequently lend pertinent objects for a particular display. “The Death and Doom of Devices” display included a Commodore computer, several antique cameras and early models of cell phones. Students were often observed looking intently at these objects. One noteworthy exhibit celebrated the centennial of the Paterson silk strike in May, 2013 and included books, posters and photographs supplemented with silk swatches and spools of silk thread. A display was created last September to coincide with the University’s Homecoming Weekend. In addition to books about the history of the University, photographs, banners, yearbooks and memorabilia from the Library’s archives were also included. Another noteworthy exhibit was “Toy Story” which focused on books about toys and childhood pastimes. “Comics Craze” was also very popular and included many examples of comic books as well as books about comics from the collection. Contributions from students are also encouraged. In the past, the Library’s Exhibits Committee has collaborated with campus clubs (for Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ Awareness) and specific academic departments. Students’ posters have also been displayed in the Student Work exhibit case. The Cheng Library has three permanent exhibit cases, one semi-permanent case and five changing ones. An additional case is devoted to student work and usually features essays and art work from the student publications Writing Across the Curriculum, Zeitgeist and Artery. The Exhibits Committee members are Leah Marie Zamora and Patricia Moore, Co-Chairs, Mark Pawlak, Nancy Weiner, Susan Sabatino, Sherri Tucker, and Charles Landy. The Committee welcomes ideas and suggestions for future exhibits and invites the community to view the exhibits currently on display throughout the Cheng Library. A list of the display cases in the Cheng Library First Floor: Lobby Case Curriculum Materials Case Current Awareness Case Celebrating Student Work David and Lorraine Cheng Second Floor: Curio Case Humanities Case Chinese Language Reading Area Robert Roe Reading Room Paterson Room - documents and objects pertaining to the career of William Paterson April 23, 2015
