GLAMOROUS GLAMS: 6 STUNNING GLAM BUILDINGS

GLAM Guide | Evelyn Feldman

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For my final Musings post, I wanted to celebrate the beauty of some GLAM spaces. Whether big or small, modernist, classical, or brutalist, GLAM buildings often have stunning designs.

In these stressful final weeks of the semester (if you are a student), I hope this post can give you a thoughtful break through the appreciation of some extraordinary, glamorous GLAMs.

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum 

This museum in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, looks kind of like a UFO. It finished construction in 1996 and was designed by Oscar Niemeyer.

The beginnings of its construction were connected to political scandal.

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum in Brazil. Source (top). Source (bottom).

National Archives building of the BAnQ

The BAnQ (Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales du Québec) has several facilities throughout Quebec, and was created in a merging of Quebec's national archives and national library in 2006, making it an example of GLAM convergence.

While the Grande Bibliothèque in Downtown Montreal is pretty stunning too, I decided to show off the somewhat lesser-known national archives, which are located in the Gilles Hocquart Building in Montreal.

The interior design was done in part by the Provencher agency, who also designed the beautiful First Collector Sewer and Québécor Pavilion renovation in Montreal's Point-à-Callière Museum.

National Archives of the BAnQ, Montreal, Quebec. Source (top). Source (bottom left). Source (bottom right).

Anne of Green Gables Museum

Maybe you're not a glam kind of person, and cozy is more your style. Then the Anne of Green Gables Museum at Silver Bush, in Kensington, Prince Edward Island, might be the museum for you!

The building housing this museum was used as the setting for Lucy Maud Montgomery's novels Pat of Silver Bush and Mistress Pat.

Not to be confused with Green Gables House, another related heritage site.

The Anne of Green Gables Museum at Silver Bush in Kensington, Prince Edward Island. Source.

The Guggenheim 

Okay, this one is a classic, but also a personal favourite. Isn't there something kind of glamorous about that swirling white gallery wall? 

Whether or not you're a fan of the white gallery wall, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York is certainly extraordinary. Completed in 1959, the Frank Lloyd Wright design recalls a nautilus shell, with a continuous ramp spiralling towards the ceiling.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Source (top). Source (bottom).

Calgary Central Library

Lastly I have to squeeze in a couple of libraries! First is Calgary's new Central Library, which just opened in November 2018 and is all the talk of library land.

A section of the Calgary CTrain, a light rail transit system, runs right through the middle of the building. You can watch a time lapse of the library's construction here.

The New Central Library in Calgary. Source (top left). Source (top right). Source (bottom).

The Toronto Reference Library

Let's finish close to home, with the Toronto Reference Library. While it may look a bit like a boring brick on the outside, the Toronto Reference Library's interior is stunning.

Maybe you've already heard of this one, but did you know that the Reference Library features in The Weeknd's music video for Secrets? Or that its floors used to be lined with hanging plants, evoking imagery of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?

The Toronto Reference Library. Source (top). Source (bottom).

Really, there were hundreds--thousands--of GLAMs I could have chosen for this post. Some runner-ups include the Biblioteca Sandro Penna in Perugia, Italy (another UFO!), the Tama Art University Library in Tokyo, Japan, the Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand (the museum is inside a three-headed elephant), and the Vennesla Library and Culture House in Vennesla, Norway (isn't culture house a neat term for a library?)

I hope this list of glamorous GLAM buildings has given you a break from the stressful final weeks of your semester--or any other pressures of your day.

WHY DO WE CALL THEM "VISITORS"?

GLAM Guide | Evelyn Feldman

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In my first weeks of my first semester studying Library and Information Science, I was assigned this blog post by Karen Pundsack to read for class. It's been one of those readings I've never forgotten, that has seemed to live in the back of my mind ever since.

Pundsack's post summarizes an ongoing conversation in Public Libraries about what to call the people who use the library. As Pundsack notes, each term brands the library in a different way.

Patron positions the library within a more traditional framework, but is perhaps problematically jargon-like.

Customer positions the library as a product and a financial investment; coming from the business world and carrying a strong corporate undertone, it is perhaps the most controversial of these terms.

User is active, and positions the library as a space to do things, but is perhaps impersonal.

The Toronto Reference Library. What does the Toronto Public Library call the people who come to use it? Source.

I recommend reading the whole article for more terms (student, member, guest, client, visitor) and various arguments for and against many of them.

What I find interesting is how hard it is for an outsider to even find out which term a library system uses, without doing some serious sleuthing (can you figure out which term Toronto Public Library uses, if any? I couldn't!). This lack of surface-level transparency shows just how much these terms exist for the library's own internal conceptualization of itself, rather than as tools for users.

Whichever word a library chooses to use, the decision reflects big questions each library system asks itself: How do we perceive the people who use our services? How do we want them to fit within those services? What do we want our library to be?

What about museums?

Falk & Dierking, who wrote about museum
visitor motivations, inspired Musings'
Falcon Deerking logo. Source.

Entering the Museum Studies half of my degree the following year, this was a big question on my mind: What words do we use in museums?

The answer, as you probably know? It's almost always visitors. 

Of course, there is some variation; I think guests is not uncommon, either. But museums seem pretty settled with their terms. On the other hand, museums focus more on a different set of questions: rather than what do we call people, they ask why do people come. This focus is illustrated in Museum Studies' core concepts like Visitor Research and Museum Visitor Motivations from Falk and Dierking (who inspired Musings' mascots!).


I don't have an argument here, but instead raise this topic to ask questions--

Why these different focuses?

What would it mean for museums if we called the people who walked through our doors users, patrons, or customers?

Why is visitor so standard in museums? What does this say about museums' own internal self-conceptualization?

Even if museums (and libraries!) are well-settled and content with their terms, I love the way that this debate prompts internal reflection on what we want to be as institutions, both individually and collectively.

HARVEST THE GOOD TIMES: WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS NOVEMBER EDITION

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: KELLY MANIKOTH

Hello friends, and welcome to the November edition of What’s Happening Wednesdays! Traditionally, November is the time for harvest, where we reap the goods that were sown during the summer months. After the celebrations of Thanksgiving and Halloween, however, I usually enter hibernation mode. I stay put at home as I grapple with the influx of major papers, projects and presentations, all while preparing for the impending holiday season in December. 

This year, I want to embrace the traditional notion of November, and reap the benefits of living and studying in Toronto.We have yet to face winter’s frigid bite, so the following events will help us take advantage of this warm and sunny autumn. 

1. The Toronto Chocolate Festival  

Looks like heaven to me. Source.

Start November on a sweet note with a month-long – yes – a MONTH LONG festival devoted to chocolate. The Toronto Chocolate Festival , which first took place in 2005, began as a ten-day festival, and eventually turned into a month-long extravaganza. There are multiple venues that hold chocolate-centered events, such as Chocolate Afternoon Tea and the ChocOlympics , with many taking place at the Eglinton Grand. Click here to acquire “Discovery Passport Coupons”, which allow you to try out delicacies from participating pastry shops and chocolatiers. Learn about chocolate, from cocoa to creation, while sampling treats the entire day.

A festival highlight is the Toronto Luxury Chocolate Show, held at the Chocolate Salons in the Toronto Reference Library. A variety of chocolatiers, chocolate artisans and pastry chefs will have samples of their products and special deals for the holiday season. The Salon also features a Chocolate Makers demo stage and draws for chocolate-themed prizes. 

The Toronto Luxury Chocolate Show:
When: Saturday, November 4th: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Sunday, November 5th: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Where: Toronto Reference Library, 689 Yonge Street
Cost: $20 tickets, which can be purchased online 

The Toronto Chocolate Festival takes place the entire month of November. To learn about all the events featured this year, visit torontochocolatefestival.com 

2. November Events at the Bata Shoe Museum

Check out some of the great initiatives the Bata Shoe Museum has for the month of November:

Source.

The Warm the Sole Sock Drive

Every year the Bata Shoe Museum throws an annual sock drive, Warm the Sole. Socks are one of least donated items in clothing drives, yet one of the most needed items in shelters, especially as the weather gets colder. Help diminish this need by bringing a new pair of unworn socks to the Bata Shoe Museum’s drive, which takes place throughout the whole month of November. If you bring a pair on Saturday or Sunday, you can visit the museum free that day! There will also be sock-themed crafts for kids throughout the month. For more information, click here.

When: November 1-30

Where: Bata Shoe Museum

327 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7

Cost: Admission to the gallery is free on Saturday and Sunday with a sock donation

National Film Board Screening at the Bata Shoe Museum: The Road Forward
As part of the National Film Board’s Aabiziingwash (Wide Awake): NFB Indigenous Cinema on Tour in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada, the Bata Shoe Museum presents a special screening of The Road Forward, a musical documentary by Marie Clements that examines the relationship of the Indian Nationalism movement in the 1930's with current First Nations activism.

When: November 22, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Cost: Free! Tickets can be reserved by emailing rsvp@batashoemuseum.ca or by calling 416.979.7799 x 444

3. The 95th Annual Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 

The Best of Bovine. Source.

The Royal Agricultural Fair is celebrating its 95th Anniversary this year! Started by a group of farmers in 1922, the fair was an attempt to showcase the finest of Canadian agriculture after the First World War. It's been an annual event ever since, occurring every November in Toronto.The Royal is now the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world, featuring the best agriculture, local food and animal shows in the country. 

Enjoy The Royal Horse Show, dog shows, culinary competitions, wine tasting, and shopping. This year, The Royal has a special initiative, A Place to Grow. In partnership with the University of Guelph and the Canada 150 Fund, A Place to Grow is an interactive chronological walk through time that celebrates the past, present and future of agriculture and food in Ontario. 

To learn more about the many other vendors, shows and entertainment featured at The Royal, check out royalfair.org 

When: Friday, November 3- 11,  9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday, November 12,  9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Where: Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario M6K 3C3

Cost: $16 Youth (4-17), $20 Senior (65+), $27.50 Adult (18-64), $60 Family Pass (2 Adults / 2 Youth)
Senior Mon,Tue,Wed Special $17.00
Adults After 4pm Mon-Thursday $16.00

Tickets can be purchased online here .

4. JAYU's iAM Gallery Opening

Source.

JAYU is a non-profit arts organization that shares human rights stories through the arts, specifically film and photography. One of JAYU’s initiatives is the iAM Program, which provides photography and storytelling workshops to youth in the community. iAM showcases these works in a rotating exhibition, with 100% of the proceeds going back to the youth participants. This year, JAYU has partnered with the The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, providing workshops to nine youth from the centre. The pieces created from the workshops explore the theme of reconciliation, and will be displayed along with the youth’s stories in the Daniel Spectrum Centre. The opening takes place on Friday, November 3rd, and the show runs until January 10th, 2017. For more information on the iAM program and opening night, click here .

When: Friday, 3 November 2017, 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Where: Daniels Spectrum, 2nd Floor, 585 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2B7

Cost: Free

5. Lest We Forget, Remembrance Day in Toronto

Remembrance Day Memorial on the lawn of Manulife on Bloor St. E. Source.

November is a month dedicated to remembrance. It’s a time to reflect on our freedoms, our right to live under a government of our choice, and the many opportunities this nation provides us. On Saturday, November 11th, the City of Toronto will hold ceremonies in different locations, such as Old City Hall, to recognize and honour the contributions made by those who serve and continue to serve. 

The featured ceremony takes place at Queens Park. The ceremony includes a moment of silence and the laying of wreaths. It can also be streamed online here .

For more information on ceremonies near you, visit Ontario Remembers .

Queen's Park Ontario Veterans' Memorial :
When: Saturday, November 11th , 10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Ontario Veterans' Memorial on the front lawn of Queen’s Park, 111 Wellesley Street West, Toronto

6. The Month of Movember!

Movember

It’s Movember! Men around the country grow out their mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of male health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. The Movember Foundation is hosting many events around the city that celebrate this important initiative. Here are a few in Toronto to check out: 

Movember fit-a-thon

Hosted by Centennial College, this event is geared towards students. Participants will be challenged during the evening to keep moving to raise money for men's health, supporting Movember Toronto.

When: November, 17th, 6:00 pm – 12:00 am

Where: Athletic and Wellness and Centre, 941 Progress Avenue, Toronto, ON M4S1C4

Cost: Donation Request. More information can be found on donations here

Muaystache: #PushKickCancer

Back Forward Kick Productions presents Muaystache: #PushKickCancer, an amateur event that supports the Movember Foundation. For more information, visit Muay Thai Ontario

When: November 25th, 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St, Toronto, ON M6G 4C7

Cost: $35 Advance tickets
$45 Door tickets
$55 Front row reserved tickets
This is an all ages event. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.

Best "MO" in "TO"

This is the perfect opportunity to show of your ‘stache at the end of the month! Organized by emerging professionals of Sport and Event Marketing from George Brown College, the event brings awareness to Men’s Mental Health through a Moustache competition, raffle prizes, games, live music, food and drinks, and a barber who will give you a clean-shaven face after the competition. For more information, click here .

When: November 30th, 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm

Where: 588 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Y9

Cost: The organiser has suggested a $5 donation to help them reach their goal.

For more Movember events, visit movember.com

7. Trinity Bellwoods Christmas is Coming Flea Market

Source.

The holidays are nearly upon us! Rather than dealing with the stress of overcrowded malls, support your local shop vendors this year. The Trinity Bellwoods Christmas is Coming Flea Market is a monthly market that takes place in the beautiful and historic Great Hall. With a mission to buy and sell local, the market features 50 Canadian vendors and designers. It’s the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts or pick up a special something for yourself. To learn about the different vendors, check out the Trinity Bellwoods Website for updates!

When: Sunday, November 19, 2017, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W.M6J 1H3

Cost: Free entry

8. Mozart's Don Giovanni Fall Major Opera Production at the University of Toronto

Don Giovanni in the Champagne Aria scene by Max Slevgot, 1902. Source.

Tired of heading to the movies as your main entertainment outing? Why not explore a new art form and check out an opera put on by U of T’s Faculty of Music! Mozart’s Don Giovanni, based on the legend of Don Juan, is considered a timeless masterpiece. The production is sung in the original Italian and is conducted by Uri Mayer, Professor and Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Toronto.

When: Thursday, November 23 – Saturday, November 25th, 7:30 pm. Sunday, November 26th, 2:30 pm

Where: MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen's Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C5

Cost: $40 regular admission, $25 senior, $10 student. You can purchase tickets here 

9. ROM Daytime - Meet the Vikings 

Source.

The ROM’s newest show, Vikings – The Exhibition presented by Raymond James Ltd, delves into the myths, stereotypes and legends of the Viking Age. Featuring hundreds of objects and immersive activities, the exhibition also explores Canada’s link to Viking history, showcasing archaeological finds from the East Coast.

On November 30th, John Craig Cipolla, the curator for Vikings: The Exhibition, will hold a special talk that reveals how the exhibition came together, highlighting special artifacts to discuss Viking culture and history. For more information, visit ROM Daytime. Vikings:The Exhibition, runs from November 4th, 2017 – April 2nd, 2018. 

Meet the Vikings Talk
When:Thursday, November 30, 2017, 11:00 am - 1:15 pm
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Lecture in Eaton Theatre
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Coffee, Tea & Treats in Theatre Rotunda
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm Exhibition Visit with Introductory Remarks

Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
Lecture held in the Eaton Theatre, Level 1B

Cost: Lecture is free with Museum admission. 

Enjoy November just like our little corgi friend! Source.

As a grad student, November is a very hectic time in the semester. However, this year, reap the benefits of your hard work by taking a break and enjoying some of the events taking place in the city, whether that be participating in Movember fundraisers, attending an opera, shopping at markets, or simply savoring some chocolate. If you know of more cool events in the city, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments section.

Till December, my friends!

A CASE OF IDENTITY: POP SHERLOCK AT THE TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY

EXHIBITION REVIEWS

BY: SADIE MACDONALD

When I learned that there was a Sherlock Holmes exhibit at the Toronto Reference Library this fall, I knew I had to see it.

An approximation of the author's reaction to a Sherlock Holmes exhibit, as demonstrated by actors Viktor Yevgrafov and Vasily Livanov from the 1979-1986 Russian Sherlock Holmes series. Source.

Pop Sherlock explores the popularity of the famous fictional detective and his many appearances across different forms of media. The Toronto Reference Library (fun fact: the library was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama, who also designed the Bata Shoe Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, and Museum London) has an Arthur Conan Doyle Room, which past contributing editor Stephanie Read reviewed on Musings in 2016. Pop Sherlock, a temporary exhibit, offers a more colourful and playful look at Doyle's most well-known creation. In this exhibit, visitors can explore the pop culture phenomenon of Sherlock Holmes and see how the character has inspired an unwavering outpouring of adaptations over the past 130 years.

A display case showing original playbills from stage adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. Photo courtesy of Sadie MacDonald.

Pop Sherlock is on display in the airy TD Gallery on the first floor of the library. The exhibition has a bold colour palette reminiscent of a pop art aesthetic. I was surprised when I first saw the bright blue walls, which seem antithetical to the typical aura expected of Sherlock Holmes. It definitely adds an air of excitement and freshness to a body of Victorian literature that is being constantly reinvented. This atmosphere is augmented by instrumental music playing on speakers throughout the exhibit, which changes in tone from ominous to bombastic. These design choices help bring the exhibition story to life.

I was amazed by the selection of artifacts on display in the exhibition, as I walked into the library exhibit expecting to see mostly books in cases. Pop Sherlock does have books, but it also has framed original movie posters, old playbills, comic books, and several items of collectible paraphernalia. There is even a letter written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself. I was especially excited at the inclusion of animation cels from The Great Mouse Detective and Sherlock Hound.

A selection of unusual (and adorable) Holmes-inspired objects are on display. Photo courtesy of Sadie MacDonald.

By showing this range of materials, Pop Sherlock effectively communicates how the spirit of Sherlock Holmes has endured in the public consciousness since the first story was published in 1887. Even in the twenty-first century, people have continued to love Sherlock Holmes. The exhibition doesn’t delve into exactly why Sherlock Holmes has been so popular, aside from a didactic panel which insinuates that “There is no time in human history when a cool head and a brilliant mind are not invaluable.” Judging by the presence of other visitors in the exhibit during my visit on a late Saturday afternoon, there probably is no need to investigate why the stories are popular. People going into this exhibition are likely already intrigued by the subject material, and prove that Sherlock Holmes is still beloved and a subject of interest.

A label next to a movie poster of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. Photo courtesy of Sadie MacDonald.

I wish the exhibition had touched on the feelings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator, in regards to the popularity of Sherlock Holmes. During his heyday, Doyle became famously disgruntled over the public adoration for Holmes and the continuing demand for more stories featuring the detective. Doyle's attempt to kill off Holmes in The Final Problem was met with mass fan despair, which eventually led Doyle to begrudgingly write more Holmes stories again. Below is a filmed interview with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in which he touches upon the popular response to Sherlock Holmes (as well as spiritualism).

I appreciate how Pop Sherlock encourages visitors to explore the world of Sherlock Holmes through literature, whether you’ve read all the stories or none. Several Holmes pastiches were brought to my attention throughout the exhibit. Near the entrance of the gallery is an interactive touchscreen where users can discover stories about Holmes. Those interested in pastiches are provided clickable prompts denoting narrative angles the user could be interested in reading. I expressed my interest in reading about a female sleuth and was recommended The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King (which, incidentally, I’ve been meaning to read one of these days when my grad school duties aren't so pressing).

An image of the interactive app in the exhibition. Photo courtesy of Sadie MacDonald.

However, while there was plenty of material provided for those who have already read the original Sherlock Holmes stories, I found that this interactive device lacked options for those who might be reading the stories for the first time. A visitor new to Holmes is only offered The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes when using this app. Why not model the pastiche section of the app by asking readers their interests and recommending them a particular Holmes story? For example, those wanting a female-focused story could be encouraged to read “The Adventure of the Copper Beeches” (my personal favourite) or “A Scandal in Bohemia”, or someone interested in adventure tales could be told to try “The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton” or “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.” The stand-alone novels like A Study in Scarlet and The Hound of the Baskervilles could have also been brought to users’ attention.

After all, this is an exhibit that shows that when it comes to Sherlock Holmes, there is much to discover.

Source.

Whether you're headed to the Toronto Reference Library for studying or for a break from studying, check out the exhibit while you're there and pick up some new reading material. If you can’t make it out to the library, most of the original Sherlock Holmes stories are in the public domain, and links to pdfs can be found online. I encourage you to check Pop Sherlock out!


Pop Sherlock will be on display until October 22. Free guided tours are offered every Tuesday at 2pm.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CONVERGENCE PART I: EXHIBITIONS IN LIBRARIES & ARCHIVES

MUSEUM MONDAYS

BY: KARA ISOZAKI & MAEGHAN JERRY

The summer edition of Museum Mondays will be a three-part series focusing on the convergence of libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs). Convergence has been a popular topic in Canada since the early 2000s. While the three fields have somewhat different histories, values, and methods, LAM institutions are all involved in collecting and preserving materials for the benefit and use of the public. Kara and Maeghan will bring their perspective as students of both Museum Studies and Archives & Records Management to publicly visible areas of overlap and interaction between LAMs. 

One of the most visible overlaps between libraries, archives, and museums is the use of exhibitions to display and promote library and archival holdings. There are numerous examples of archives and libraries in Toronto that put on regular exhibitions, and we chose to visit three to check out how different institutions were exhibiting their holdings: Vice & Virtue at the Toronto Reference Library (TRL), Struggle & Story: Canada in Print at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, and From Streets to Playgrounds: Representing Children in Early 20th Century Toronto at the City of Toronto Archives. 

Gallery spaces (left to right): Toronto Reference Library, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, and City of Toronto Archives. Photo by Kara Isozaki.

Maeghan: All of these exhibitions featured primarily print materials, and yet they all made things really dynamic.

Kara: Yeah, all three institutions had objects on the walls and in cases, propped up or laying flat. The TRL and Archives mounted reproductions by sticking them directly to the walls and nailing them on like public notices.

M: Those two institutions were really creative in the layouts of the wall mounts, mixing different sizes to create visual interest. Also, the Archives showed rotating photographs on screens which added movement to the exhibition.

K: I think that using reproductions made it easier to create the diverse wall layouts. Fisher’s exhibition was different because nearly all the objects on display were originals. I wonder if they were able to do that because the display area is light controlled.

M: Yeah, I think the whole building is climate controlled as well because part of the collection is housed in open shelving. Fisher also brought in artifacts to add to their display cases, which we didn’t really see in the other exhibitions. 

Wall display at the City of Toronto Archives. Photo by Kara Isozaki.

K: I noticed each exhibition took a different interpretive approach.

M: Yeah, it ended up being a spectrum, where TRL had what would be the most museum-like interpretation and Fisher was more like an essay in exhibition form, and then the Archives fell in between.

K: I found the TRL was more accessible because it had a clear theme with subsections. They used a mix of section panels, object labels, and infographics to give you multiple ways to access the information.

M: The Archives was pretty good in terms of having clear sections, but it lacked an overall story or theme. It seemed like the sections were focused on the records and creators represented in their collection rather than on the topic presented in the title.

K: Yeah, that might be because the content is based on the results of a research project and what information the Archives has about the records. The Archives might know more about the records creators than the people affected by the creation of playgrounds.

M: That’s very true, but would a visitor who doesn’t have a background in archival work know and recognize that? It wasn’t a bad exhibit overall, it was just that it seemed to lack a core theme. They should have named it something different. That might have provided a better connection between the sections.

K: The Fisher, on the other hand, took a really different approach. Their exhibition was way more text-heavy than the other two. They chose to present their information through object labels instead of section panels. It diverged the most from the museum interpretive techniques we learned.

M: The amount of information and text format felt more like an exhibition catalogue than a label. The catalogue was actually placed in a more prominent location than the introductory panel.

Case display with text-heavy labels at the Fisher Rare Book Library. Photo by Kara Isozaki.

K: I suspect the different interpretive approaches reflect the institutions’ different ideas about their audiences. With the Fisher, I think they’re writing for a more academic audience since they’re part of the university.

M: I agree. I imagine that they do get tourists, but they probably come to see the grandeur of the space itself, and the exhibition just acts as an example of what’s inside all the books on the shelves.

K: The TRL probably has the most diverse audience, since the building has been designed to be a community space, with a comic book store and coffee shop also on the first floor. The exhibition definitely felt like it was designed for an audience of the general public. Everything was really accessible.

M: The Archives was also aimed at the general public, but I think most of the visitors are people who are coming to the archive for other purposes, like research.

Case display at Toronto Reference Library. Photo by Kara Isozaki.

K: So what did we learn?

M: It seems to me that the institutions are picking up on display methods faster than they’re picking up on interpretive methods. We saw a lot of really great material displayed in creative and engaging ways, but the institutions differed in the ways that they presented associated information.

K: That’s true, but we are judging these exhibitions from a museological perspective, which comes with a lot of assumptions and history that these other institutions may not operate on.

M: But I think it’s fair to do that because all of the institutions we visited advertised their exhibitions as exhibitions with themes and in dedicated gallery areas. We didn’t just stumble across a “recent acquisitions” shelf.

K: Either way, I thought they were effective overall. We enjoyed visiting each of them and I feel like I learned something from each one.

Have you visited these exhibitions or others in libraries or archives? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!

R2-D2, UNCOMFORTABLY FAST BIKES AND COFFEE: THE MAKER FESTIVAL AT THE TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY

EXHIBITION REVIEWS

BY: STEPHANIE READ

My internship this summer has led to my spending countless hours researching at the Toronto Reference Library. I've learned a lot about what the space holds over the course of a few short months, such as the Toronto Historical Newspaper Archive in the basement, the Arthur Conan Doyle Room. I had the opportunity on July 10th to check out the Maker Festival at the TRL, since I've been hearing quite a bit about the "Maker movement" in Toronto, especially in connection to the Royal Ontario Museum, which is preparing to launch its own Maker Space this fall.

Looking down at the first level of Maker Fest. Photo Cred: Stephanie Read 

For those of you not familiar with this Maker movement business, it is one which encourages STEAM innovation, participation and the sharing of space, resources and knowledge. Inventors, hackers, designers, hobbyists and artisans come together to share and discuss their research. Museums benefit by participating in Maker spaces because the latter provide spaces for children and adults to interact with technology and craft at their own pace. The Toronto Reference Library Maker Festival in July included many museums in its roster of innovators and artists, such as the Toronto Railway Museum, the ROM and Black Creek Pioneer Village. These events happen across the city and I urge you to check one out, especially if it is at the Toronto Reference Library, as it is a huge space bursting at the seams with fascinating demonstrations and installations. The event is also free, which goes a long way for me.

Don't mind if I do! PC: Stephanie Read

I gave myself about an hour to see the Festival, and it was hardly enough time. The library was packed with tables and objects, from a super-fast hydrogen-powered speed-bike (designed by U of T's own), to adorable R2-D2 robots (I accidentally called one C-3PO and predictably, chaos ensued). Origami-style garlands made by guests hung from the ceiling, and veritably every single taste was covered. I personally enjoyed visiting the Metro Marine Modellers of Toronto. They make gorgeous ships, and their work can be seen in the AGO's Thompson Collection of Ship Models (my second shout-out to that gallery... I think I have a problem!).

Racing boats by the Metro Marine Modellers of Toronto.
These guys are seriously good craftsmen! PC: Stephanie Read

Here were a few scenes from the event, which included the Make Change conference, panels, sessions, workshops and boutiques. I just want to say that during my visit, I thought of a lot about my fellow classmates and MMST alumni, many who are wonderful 'makers' in their own right!

The world's fastest human-powered bike, created by the University of Toronto
Human-Powered Vehicle Design Team. These guys are geniuses! PC: Stephanie Read

This printer by the Rochester Institute of Technology creates art with coffee drips.
 Suffice to say the table smelled good! PC: Stephanie Read

This is the first 3-D printer to blend filaments of colour, by ORD Solutions Inc.
 PC: Stephanie Read

BB-8 Builder's Club. Like the Mall Santa, the R/C BB-8 represents the real deal for
public events. Obviously this table was a hit and kudos to these women for still being so friendly at the end of the day.
PC: Stephanie Read

BoxMaker makes boxes! And dinosaurs. And cardboard batarangs. Love BoxMaker! PC: Stephanie Read

Birritt backpacks include an integrated power source so you can charge your tech while on the go! The bags are great too, with lots of handy pockets. (Psst, the buckles are decorative and actually attach with snap buttons). PC: Stephanie Read.

Excuse the over-exposure on this picture. Robot Missions created 3-D printed robots designed to help pick up garbage along the beach. They look so adorable and Wall-E-esque, roving around clutching discarded water bottles.
PC: Stephanie Read.

Russell Zeid, Backyard Blacksmith. PC: Stephanie Read

I thought I had seen everything and then I came into this room! PC: Stephanie Read

Although Maker month is over, satellite events do pop up often around the city, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled! This event is fantastic for all ages, though especially for children, as many of the activities are designed with kids in mind. Visit the Maker Festival website to learn more about participating innovators and upcoming events. 

See you next time, wild and wacky Toronto Makers! PC: Stephanie Read

SLEUTHIN' IT UP AT THE TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY

EXHIBITION REVIEWS

BY: STEPHANIE READ

Hello and welcome to the first summer 2016 edition of EXHIBITION REVIEWS! I hope everyone has enjoyed the amazing weather over the long weekend and got their hands on some fireworks. Cottage people, you have /my/ number!

This post is not so much about an exhibition per se, but a lovely and easily-overlooked permanent feature of the Toronto Reference Library- a home away from home for any fan of intrigue and the cozy comfort of nostalgia for a time we never even lived and never will again - the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection (I know, nobody is surprised!)

The ACDC Room (I spy a teddy bear!) 24-05-16. Source: S Read

A little background history on the Collection; some time ago in the late 1960s, a few librarians got their hands on a small collection of about 150 books related to Sherlock Holmes and the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. These books were supplemented by the collections of the wonderfully-named S. Tupper Bigelow and the more enigmatic "Mortlake".

The inner room of the ACDC. So cozy! 24-05-16 S. Read

Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend John Watson have been, of course, at the forefront of popular culture for a long time. And so they should, considering the duo's continued relevance in our seemingly chaotic, post-industrial society. It is therefore ironic and endearing that the great social disturber-of-the-peace Sherlock Holmes' rooms should be accented by the greatest comforts and dainty accessories: fluffy Persian rugs, silk slippers, furniture smelling of rich mahogany, a teddy bear. The opening hours for the Collection at the TRL are limited, however I greatly urge you to take some time this summer, whether on some stormy summer afternoon or unbearably hot July morning, to check out the ACDC (hehe) and browse the marvelous collection of paraphernalia, beautiful editions of Holmes mysteries, manuscripts, and maybe even play a round of chess!

The ACDC outside room, with chess set and Holmes mysteries. 24-05-16. Source: S Read

What's more, the lovely Collection staff permit you to peruse freely, and you can take pictures, too (no flash please!) You can also request to see more delicate or valuable items that are not on immediate display to the public, though make sure you check with the TRL first to make sure someone is there to assist you. If you are visiting the city and have an interest in all things Holmes, this is a free and accessible space and should be on your to-see list!

Some interesting reads out of many! 24-05-16. Source: S Read

The Arthur Conan Doyle Collection is a treat nestled away in the honeycombed recesses of the TRL, and is clearly lovingly cared for. For those in our readership who are interested in exploring what I can only assume is the deep and dark underbelly of Toronto's literary subculture, you can join the Sherlock Holmes Fan Club, The Bootmakers of Toronto for a Pub Night on June 11 at the North District Library.

Adorable Sherlock teddy and a beautiful illustrated SH book. 24-05-16. S. Read

Also, the Friends of the ACDC are welcoming professor of Film Studies Russell Merritt next Saturday on May 28th to discuss the "rediscovery and restoration of [William] Gillette's 1916 silent film Sherlock Holmes". For information on the Friends of the ACDC, click here!

To conclude, I will share my favourite Sherlock joke. Added bonus: the response you receive for this joke from your friends is really an indicator of your friendship:

"Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson decide to go on a camping trip. After dinner and some soothing violin music provided by the cultured Holmes, they lay down for the night, and go to sleep.

Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.

"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

Watson replied, "I see millions of stars."

"What does that tell you?"

Watson pondered for a minute.

"Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets."
"Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo."
"Chronologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three."
"Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant."
"What does it tell you, Holmes?"

Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke: "What it tells me, dear Watson, is that someone has stolen our tent!"