Jessica Lacher-Feldman, Head of LSU Libraries Special Collections, is the author of a recently-published book entitled Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections Libraries (Society of American Archivists, 2013).  The book is a culmination of years of actively developing and executing exhibits, as well as years of research and teaching about exhibit development in archives.

Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections Libraries  is both a practical guide and a pedagogical tool, seeking to inspire, motivate, and educate archivists about how to develop exhibits and how to draw inspiration from their collections, colleagues, and experiences.  It includes several mini case studies drawn from Lacher-Feldman’s own experiences as well as three case studies by colleagues across the country who took on archival exhibits on controversial subjects with success – namely, Stonewall, Slavery, and Three Mile Island.

The book has received high praise in reviews that have been recently published.  A review in the Metropolitan Archivist (Volume 20, Issue 1) says: “The book inspires confidence and encourages archivists to step away from comfort zones and reach more people.  Exhibits in Archives emerges as a new standard that will be required reading for archivists working on any type of exhibition.”  The Journal of Western Archives’ review (Vol. 5, Issue 1) says: “Ms. Lacher-Feldman has a charge for each of us in exhibition creation: ‘Proceed and Be Bold!’  Her hope that this book ‘gives ideas, energy, and permission to strike out in new directions when working with exhibits. Given this advice, Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections  probably has something for us all.”

Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections Libraries  is available through the Society of American Archivists’ website: http://saa.archivists.org/store/exhibits-in-archives-and-special-collec…