Smithsonian Libraries

Staff Notes: Stephen Van Dyk

Librarian Stephen Van Dyk, from the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum Library in New York, worked with photographer and design historian Andrew Garn on a new book, Exit to Tomorrow: History of the Future, World's Fair Architecture, Design, Fashion 1933-2005. Stephen wrote a short chapter in this book on how world’s fairs from the 1930s to 1980s  were venues for projecting future trends in architecture, technology, city planning, and international relations. —Susan Frampton

Happy Cuckoo Day

He was but as the cuckoo is in June,
Heard, not regarded.
—William Shakespeare

"Plate 165: Le Coucou de Mindenao," François-Nicolas Martinet, Ornithologie [Histoire des Oiseaux Peints dans Tous Leurs Aspects Apparents et Sensibles] [Ornithology], 1773-1792

The cuckoo who is on to himself is halfway out of the clock.
—Wilson Mizner

"Black-billed Cuckoo," Howard Jones, Illustrations of the nests and eggs of birds of Ohio, 1879-1886

This is the weather the cuckoo likes
And so do I.
—Thomas Hardy

"Plate 54: Le Coucou," François-Nicolas Martinet, Ornithologie [Histoire des Oiseaux Peints dans Tous Leurs Aspects Apparents et Sensibles] [Ornithology], 1773-1792

—Elizabeth Periale

Arbor Day

Happy Arbor Day from Smithsonian Libraries.

Hieronymus Bock, Kreütterbuch darin unterscheidt Nammen und Würckung der Kreütter [Herbal], 1587.

Charles Wilkes, Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition..., 1845.

Oscar H. Will & Co., Thirty Fourth Annual 1917, 1917.

—Elizabeth Periale

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work

Today the Smithsonian Institution is celebrating “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work,” an opportunity for staff to bring their children into the museums and research centers for hands-on learning.  I remember thinking as a child, “What do my mom and dad do all day at work?” This day combines education with fun to give children a glimpse into the mysterious working world.

Organized by Library technicians Richard Naples and Phu Pham, the Libraries participated in this event by hosting “Make Your Own Book with the Libraries.” Young boys and girls created natural history-themed books using felt paper, twigs, crayons, and an array of stickers and other materials. Not only were the children interested in making the colorful twig-bound books, but the parents seemed to get into the project as well, assembling their own book creations and asking questions about the Libraries book conservation techniques. A great time was had by the children, parents, and Smithsonian Libraries staff!—Liz O'Brien