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illinoisrbml.bsky.social
University of Illinois RBML
@illinoisrbml.bsky.social
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Rare Book & Manuscript Library at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Main Library 346 | https://www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/

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Join us on Thursday, February 26 from 3-5 pm for a talk by Dr. Elias Petrou (Literatures and Languages Library), titled "The Evolution of the Greek Book: From Byzantine Manuscripts to Renaissance Incunabula."

This event is free and all are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
"Dr. Elias Petrou. The Evolution of the Greek Book: From Byzantine Manuscripts to Renaissance Incunabula. Thursday, February 26, 3-5 pm in the RBML. Learn about the evolution and transmission of the Greek book from East to West, and how this inherited book culture was transformed through the new technology of print. This talk is free and open to all audiences!"
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting some of our Broadside Press materials! Broadside Press (now Broadside Lotus Press) is a Detroit-based publisher of Black poets and writers founded in 1965 by poet-librarian Dudley Randall.
Photo of the Broadside Press storefront with a 10th Anniversary book display. Broadside Series No. 81: "All of Us Are All of Us" by Lucille Clifton. Page from Broadside Memories highlighting Dudley Randall with text titled "Broadside Press: A Personal Chronicle..." Page from Broadside Memories featuring an advertisement for Lotus Press.
February 4, 2026 at 5:37 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Curses upon ye! How does a book owner stop thieves from stealing their books? Well, in the medieval period, one popular method to discourage thievery was book curses. These curses often threatened that excommunication or anathema (a formal curse from the church) would befall the thief.
Image of the bottom half of a page with a handwritten book curse in Latin. Close-up image of a page with a handwritten book curse that reads: "Do not steal this book, my honest friend for fear the gallos [sic] might be your end..." Close-up image of a page with a handwritten book curse that reads: "Steal not this book for fear of shame for under wrath the synear's name." Close-up image of a page with a handwritten book curse that reads: "Don't steal this book or you will catch it from the owner. I wrote this you don't know who."
January 28, 2026 at 4:02 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Join us virtually on Wednesday, January 28 from 7-8 pm for a talk by Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, titled "Into the Dark Forest: Exploring Textual Representations of Enslavement in Children's Books and Comics."
Graphic with text: "RBML presents a virtual talk by Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas. 'Into the Dark Forest: Exploring Textual Representations of Enslavement in Children's Books and Comics.' Wednesday, January 28, 7:00 pm Central. Screenshot and click the QR or register at go.illinois.edu/DarkForest to receive the Zoom link. This program is free and all are welcome to attend!"
January 21, 2026 at 3:32 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
RBML will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
A signed letter with a Dexter Avenue Baptist Church letterhead from Martin Luther King Jr. to Prof. George Hendrick, dated February 5, 1957. Cover to "Selected Quotations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." with a cloth black, brown, and white geometrical pattern. Quotation: "When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men conspire to preserve an unjust status quo, good men must unite to bring about the birth of a society undergirded by justice." From "Where Do we Go from Here: Chaos or Community," by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1967. Quotation: "Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that. Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it." From "Strength to Love" by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1963.
January 16, 2026 at 4:24 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
January is National Hobby Month!

Get inspired for your personal hobby journey through hobbies represented in the RBML collection, including crochet, needlework, and photography.
Crochet pattern for a "Marguerite Medallion." Illustration of a woman engaging in needlework in a domestic setting. Photos of a family outdoors.
January 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Warm holiday wishes to you and yours! RBML will be closed for the holidays Wednesday, December 24–Friday, January 2. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year on Monday, January 5! ❄️
Graphic with text: "Happy holidays from the Rare Book & Manuscript Library."
December 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Happy 250th birthday, Jane Austen!

This post features two Austen first editions in RBML’s holdings, Sense and Sensibility (1811) and Pride and Prejudice (1813), and two scripts for Austen film adaptations that show different facets of the original stories and include some creative liberties.
Title page for a Pride and Prejudice (1813) first edition, attributed to "the author of 'Sense and Sensibility'" Page from 1940 "Pride and Prejudice" film script in which Elizabeth and Darcy do archery. Elizabeth scores two bullseyes and an inner. Title page of an Sense and Sensibility (1811) first edition, attributed to "A Lady" Page 106 of 1995 Sense and Sensibility film script, featuring the line "Elinor finally explodes"
December 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Join us on Thursday, December 11 from 3-5 pm for some Reading Day relaxation! Celebrate the semester’s end with sweet and salty treats and some of our favorite winter-themed materials from the RBML vault. Make a button, color, puzzle, and leave with a live-printed linocut card!

All are welcome.
Graphic with text: "Reading Day Relaxation in the RBML. Color! Make a button! Snag a fresh lino print! Do a puzzle! Drink cider! Eat some treats! Thursday, Dec. 11. 3-5pm in RBML (346 Main Library)."
December 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
The Rare Book & Manuscript Library will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, and will reopen on Monday, December 1. 🍂
Graphic with text: "RBML will be closed on Thursday, 11/27 and Friday, 11/28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen on Monday, 12/1."
November 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Today's Collection Spotlight highlights a 1658 falconry manual by Simon Latham, an English gentleman falconer. Especially notable is the author's marginal note in this section on how to treat a hawk who is "imperfect and unclean within"...
Photo of book page titled "Latham's approved Medicines for all Hawks." Photo of page 111 highlighting the marginal text, which reads: "If you fear any bruise you may add a little mummy."
November 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson was born on this day in 1850. His best-known works include Treasure Island (1883) and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), both of which introduced themes and tropes that persist in popular culture today.
A page from a book featuring a black-and-white illustration titled "Bell Rock Lighthouse." The illustration shows a lighthouse partially obscured by tall waves, with the light shining brightly. Below the illustration is a handwritten poem titled "Pharos Loquitor" that reads: "Far in the bosom of the deep / O'er these wild shelves my watch I keep / A Ruddy gem of changeful light / Bound on the dusky brow of Night / The Seaman bids my lustre hail / And scorns to strike his timorous sail." A group of three black-and-white illustrations titled "Progress of the Bell Rock Works." Each illustration shows a partially constructed lighthouse with workers and pulley systems on it. The last illustration is a cross-section of the nearly completed lighthouse. The end of a handwritten letter with the signature "Yours very truly, Robert Louis Stevenson." An illustration of the island from "Treasure Island."
November 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Join us at the Spurlock Museum (600 S. Gregory St., Urbana) on Monday, November 17 from 6-8 pm for a lecture by Dr. Emily Hauser, titled "Finding the Female Voice in the Ancient World." This event is free and all are welcome to attend.
Graphic with text: "RBML author talk and book signing with Dr. Emily Hauser: 'Finding the Female Voice in the Ancient World.' Monday, Nov. 17, 6-8 pm at the Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St. Urbana. Copies of Hauser's books will be available for purchase. This event is free and all are welcome to attend!"
November 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by University of Illinois RBML
illinoisdigi.bsky.social
Daylight Savings ended for much of the US over the weekend. Did you remember to change your clocks?

Find this bookplate from @illinoisrbml.bsky.social in the Digital Special Collections: go.library.illinois.edu/OnderdonkPlate
Bookplate belonging to Sadie E. Onderdonk depicting a woman setting the hand on a large alarm clock under the phrase "TOUT PASSE."
November 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by University of Illinois RBML
lynnemthomas.com
Interested in coming to Champaign-Urbana and using the collections at @illinoisrbml.bsky.social ? We have a $3k visiting scholar program for that! Applications accepted beginning Nov 17. www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/research...
Velde Visiting Scholar Program – Rare Book and Manuscript Library – U of I Library
www.library.illinois.edu
November 3, 2025 at 9:55 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Join us on Wednesday, 11/12 from 3-5 pm for a talk by Prof. Gillen D'Arcy Wood (LAS) about his new book, The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans' Decline.

This event is free and all are welcome to attend. Book copies will be available for purchase.
Graphic with text: "The Rare Book & Manuscript Library will host an author talk and book signing with Gillen D'Arcy Wood: "The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans' Decline." Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 3-5pm. Room 346, Main Library. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. This event is free and all are welcome to attend!"
November 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Happy Halloween! 💀🎃

Popularized during times of plague and disease, Danse Macabre or "the dance of death" illustrates death as a skeleton dancing alongside people from all walks of life. As examples of memento mori, these images serve as a universal reminder or warning of death to the living.
Woodcut depicting skeletons dancing, playing instruments, and one rising from its grave. Woodcut depicting death, portrayed as a skeleton, leading individuals from all walks of life to their death. Engraving depicting a skeleton playing a pipe organ.
October 31, 2025 at 3:32 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
RBML’s new exhibit, "Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho," features our much-loved interactive magnetic poetry board. Here are some recent creations by visitors to the exhibit.

We invite you to follow in Sappho's footsteps and stop by to share your own creativity!
Magnetic strips with words arranged to read "I worship believe in want for a thousand things" and "with my shineing I must bear truth." An easel with a whiteboard displaying magnetic strips with words on them, next to a display case with open books and a sign reading "sweetbitter." Magnetic strips with words arranged in a rectangle around words reading "your beauty is that of a goddess." Magnetic strips with words arranged to read "full head makes you gorgeous."
October 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Join us on Thursday, October 23 from 3-5 pm for a talk by Scheide Librarian Emeritus Paul S. Needham (Princeton University), titled "Gutenberg's Second Invention: The 1460 Mainz Catholicon."

All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Graphic with an image of the Catholicon partially enlarged by a magnifying glass and text: "The RBML presents a talk by Paul Needham. Gutenberg's Second Invention: The 1460 Mainz Catholicon. Thursday, October 23, 3-5pm in Main Library Room 346. More than 500 years after its printing, the production details of the Catholicon are still a much debated topic in incunabula research. Come learn about the most recently discovered clues with the subject's preeminent scholar, Paul Needham!"
October 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
What do you get when you cross a peepshow with a petite book? A peti-pshow!

A peepshow, or tunnel book, is a book format that spaces multiple illustrated leaves apart from one another to create an illusion of depth when viewed through a front opening.
A peepshow book depicting a conductor and an orchestra. A peepshow book depicting people in a library. A peepshow book depicting a whale in front of a ship.
October 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Happy American Archives Month!

To celebrate, we're highlighting one of our archival collections: the Motley Collection of Theatre and Costume Design. An added perk? It's digitized: go.library.illinois.edu/MotleyDigita...
Gouache painting of Juliet kneeling over Romeo's body while holding a dagger. Gouache painting of a darkened set, labeled "Part III Sc 3." Photo of a theatre set with stairs and an elevated platform.
October 1, 2025 at 4:03 PM
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
The International Day of Sign Languages celebrates the linguistic identities of the Deaf community and all who use sign language. John Bulwer was the first person in Britain to advocate for the education of deaf people. His 1644 book explores the communicative and rhetorical power of hand gestures.
An engraved illustration showing a grid of 24 different hand gestures, labeled with their meaning in Latin. Engraved frontispiece that includes tow classical figures, hand gestures, and an extended palm with a speaking face. Engraved frontispiece featuring several classical orators using various hand gestures for rhetorical purposes. An engraved illustration showing a grid of 24 different hand gestures, labeled with their meaning in Latin.
September 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
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Friendly reminder that tomorrow(!!!), RBML is hosting a reception to ring in our new exhibit, "Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho," from 3-5 pm.

Until then, please enjoy this timelapse video of our exhibit staff hard at work. 💪
September 18, 2025 at 9:27 PM
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Join us on Friday, September 19, from 3-5 pm for a reception to open our new exhibit, "Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho." This event will feature live dance and spoken word performances, as well as a look at the exhibit!

All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Graphic with text: "Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho. Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. 3-5 pm in the RBML. Opening reception featuring live dance and spoken word performances."
September 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by University of Illinois RBML
illinoisdigi.bsky.social
Pepperoni pizza, anyone?

We're not quite sure why, but this week's #MarbledMonday is making us feel a bit hungry!

Whet your appetite for knowledge with Das erste Buch für Kinder, die gern bald lesen lernen wollen from @illinoisrbml.bsky.social: go.library.illinois.edu/Marbled1810
Front cover of Das erste Buch für Kinder featuring a red and orange marbled pattern
September 8, 2025 at 4:03 PM