The David H. French Library is pleased to announce the enhancement of its reading room space through the installation of a hand-crafted vitrin, or exhibition case. The case, acquired through a grant, will showcase materials from the library’s collections, including hidden gems and other noteworthy items.
The arrival of the vitrin coincided with a recent visit to the BIAA by representatives of the British Academy (BA). During the visit, members of the BA toured the facilities and learned more about the work of the staff and postdoctoral fellows. To mark this special occasion, Emrah and Sean curated an exhibition featuring a selection of books and materials that brought together both hidden gems from the collections and recent acquisitions.
A total of 11 items are currently on display, showcasing the diversity of publications and materials held in the Library. The exhibition highlights the breadth of these collections, ranging from a beautifully produced book donated by the Swedish Consulate, which celebrates the long and rich cultural and diplomatic relationship between Sweden and the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Türkiye, to a photograph of Alaca Höyük taken by BIAA founder John Garstang, and a photo essay documenting the introduction of the Sonora-64 wheat variety to Adana Province in 1967.
Together, these items reflect the wide-ranging interests of the Library’s collections, bringing together historical, cultural, and scholarly materials that illuminate different aspects of the region’s past and present.