McNeese Celebrates National Library Week

McNeese State University’s Frazar Memorial Library is celebrating National Library Week – April 7-13 – with a series of special events for the community.

An art exhibit by members of the McNeese Student Art Association and a display of book works created by English and art majors kick off the library’s “Student Art in the Library” initiative this week.

A rare books petting zoo will be held from 2-6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the archives and special collections reading room. This event offers the public a glimpse of first edition books and hand-painted illustrations, including a first edition, first printing of Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises,” fore-edge painted editions of books by Samuel Coleridge and Jane Austen and special art books and folios featuring the work of Charles Bukowski and John James Audubon.

“These books are really works of art,” says Pati Threatt, archivist and special collections librarian. “Usually students or people from the community would have to make an appointment to view a specific work, so this is an opportunity for people to interact with pieces they might not know about or might not otherwise have the chance to see.”

A new folio edition of “Native Flora of Louisiana,” featuring watercolor drawings by botanical artist Margaret Stones, will also be on display in the library’s foyer.

“Every day for the next year,” Threatt says, “the folio will be turned to a new page, creating a living exhibit of the artist’s work for the public to enjoy.”