Presentation: Bibliocide and the Preservation of Cultural Resources

Photographer Robert Dawson will present his work on the theme of bibliocide, the intentional or accidental destruction of books and libraries. Dawson and his wife, Ellen Manchester, have spent many years photographing libraries throughout the United States and Europe for their Global Library Project and witnessed many examples of the intentional destruction of books from wars and conflict, and of the tragic state of many irreplaceable manuscripts and collections that had been ruined as a result of war, neglect or natural disasters.

The program will also feature a presentation by Steve Woodall, a collections specialist for artists' books at the Achenbach Foundation of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. He will share his insights and expertise on the importance of collecting and preserving books and cultural resources in archives and collections.

This event is in connection with the exhibit The Global Library Project, Main Library, Jewett Gallery, June 11–November 13, 2022.

Banner image: Jungle Books Library, The Jungle refugee camp (since destroyed), Calais, France. Photograph by Robert Dawson.