Du Bois Library gears up for chancellor's inaugural

n honor of Chancellor John V. Lombardi's inauguration, the Du Bois Library is presenting activities during the day, Thursday, Feb. 6, and throughout the month. All events and exhibits are free and open to the public.

     Built around the theme, "The Library in the Digital Age," Feb. 6 activities include an information table on the lower concourse of the Lincoln Campus Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; an open house demonstrating digital services and resources, 11 a.m.-
1 p.m., on the main floor of the Du Bois Library in and near the Calipari Room; and demonstrations, exhibits or tours on the main and entrance floors and in Special Collections and Archives on the 25th floor between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

     Four exhibits will be offered during the month.

     "UMass Amherst Chancellors and Their Research: From Tippo to Lombardi, 1970-2003" will be shown on the main floor, beginning Feb. 3 and running the rest of the month. The exhibit features examples of the chancellors' books, articles, photographs, and academic regalia, including a hood and original drawings of the mace.

     "Whatcha Got Cookin'? Recent Additions to the Regional Community Cookbook Collection" showcases new members of the Library's collection of recipe books produced by church groups, school groups, women's clubs, and other community organizations. The books tell a great deal about the lives of the people who contribute the recipes, according to Emily Silverman, communications specialist.

     "In our effort to document the social history of the region, the Library collects community cookbooks from Western Massachusetts for researchers to use as primary sources," she said. "There are now nearly 400 items representing Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester counties in the cookbook collection."

     For more information, see http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/ckbk.html. The display is in Special Collections and Archives on the 25th floor through Feb. 18.

     A longer presentation is "The Souls of Black Folk: A Centennial Exhibit," scheduled to run between Feb. 19 and May 9. Also located in Special Collections and Archives, this display will feature original manuscript materials as well as photographs and correspondence from the W.E.B. Du Bois Papers held in the Library and is put together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1903 publication of the Souls of Black Folk written by W. E. B. Du Bois.
The fourth exhibit, which will show on the entrance floor Feb. 3-28, is "Berkshire Country Day School Students Honor Du Bois in Art." Student artwork of W.E.B. Du Bois will be displayed adjacent to the permanent exhibit of items found at the Du Bois homestead.