Fine Arts Library to feature handmade books for sale

The Handmade Books Open House is from 1-3 p.m. Friday in the IU Fine Arts Library Reading Room in the School of Fine Arts.

Vicky and Bill Stewart of Vamp & Tramp Booksellers will give a lecture and bring a selection of handmade books from worldwide artists for purchase, according to a press release.

Their lecture, “When the Goblet Becomes the Wine,” will be drawn from their expertise in this art form. They will use examples from their collection for illustration, according to a press release.

Tally sheets located next to the books in the library will allow attendees to vote for their favorites to be purchased by the library.

“This is the first time I’ve had an open house where I’m inviting people to come and vote on their favorites,” said Emilee Mathews, interim director of the Fine Arts Library. “I’m really excited about that.”

Mathews said she looks forward to helping people see what the library could acquire and “to have a voice” in the body of the collection.

“It’s kind of hard to feel involved and engaged with this particular collection because it’s kept under lock and key,” Mathews said. “You have to go behind these cages where we keep the special, rare, valuable books. In order to access special books, you have to look at them in a special area.”

Purchased items will be displayed in the exhibition cases during the Fine Arts Library Benefit Dinner on Jan. 26, 2013.

Mathews said she hopes this event will encourage community members and students to get involved while also giving them an opportunity to choose which items remain in the library.

“This is an educational event,” Mathews said. “Something to get people involved.”

— Makenzie Holland