Help me compile a list of quirky libraries
I am working on a list of quirky libraries. The criteria are as follows:
- Exists for a quirky, artistic, or demonstrative purpose – in other words, not a normal library intended mainly for study, even if it is about a quirky topic (like medical history)
- Not too serious or ambitious in intention or realization
- If serious, then about something small in scope
- Not considered too important
- Identifiable as a library in some way
- Must have either a physical location or a real-world exhibition series or other ongoing physical manifestation of some kind (otherwise too many things could qualify)
Emily Drabinski helped me gets started, and we came up with these:
- Reanimation Library
- Public Library of American Public Library Deaccession
- The Infinite Library
- The Interstitial Library
- The Cabinet National Library
Please comment to add your ideas, and share with art librarians who may be interested.
7 comments on “Help me compile a list of quirky libraries”
First thought – the Prelinger Library in SF: http://home.earthlink.net/~alysons/library.html
Fun idea!
Yeah, that was one of the first ones I thought of too, but I decided it’s too huge and institutional. I know Rick would not like to hear that, but the collection is pretty gigantic, and it has institutional support and practical aims. Dunno, I guess it’s rather borderline.
How about:
Chicago Underground Library
http://underground-library.org
The Brautigan Library:
http://www.thebrautiganlibrary.org/
how about textfiles.com?
the print archives are available by appointment, i think
http://paper.textfiles.com/
http://ascii.textfiles.com/archives/2376
I think I accidentally deleted a comment here. Something about clowns? The word clowns made it seem like spam. Please post again if legit.
It was me who make the post upon clowns.
Here is the info once again.
The Clowns Gallery is attached to the Holy Trinity Church on Beechwood Road
in Dalston (East London).
Within the building is kept the egg register:
‘This shows the make-up (known as “slap”) used by clowns both past and present. It is an unwritten rule that a clown never copies the make-up of another clown – each one is unique and is designed to suit the individual’s face.’
For more info on the church,
the gallery & it’s archive,
plus the annual clowns service which takes place there see:
http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Ideas/Album/ClownService.htm
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