Special artifacts, manuscripts featured in Leatherby Libraries exhibits in March

Two new exhibits featuring rare artifacts on special loan will open at Leatherby Libraries in March.

A reception to formally open an Ayn Rand exhibit at Leatherby Libraries is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in the Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives. “Celebrating the Drama and Philosophy of Ayn Rand” is co-sponsored by the Ayn Rand Institute, which guest-curated the exhibit. Among the items in the manuscript and photograph exhibit are first-edition copies of Rand’s 75
^th
anniversary edition of
We the Living
, as well as some manuscript pages and photographs.

The reception is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display through June 29.

Also opening in March is “Portrait of a People: A Jewish Heritage Exhibit,” in the Doy and Dee Henley Reading Room.

The exhibit was formed to reflect Jewish life, and it does so in an unusual assemblage of artwork, books, printed ephemera such as pamphlets and postcards, and objects of everyday and religious significance ranging from dolls and serving dishes to menorahs and mezuzahs. The exhibit was drawn from items donated by Constance Harris to the University of Michigan University Library for use by students, faculty and other scholars. Also, parts of the exhibit include personal items from the Harris family, along with a New Year pop-up card contributed by the Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives at Chapman University.

A special reception with speakers Julye Bidmead, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Religious Studies at Chapman; Constance Harris of the Jewish Heritage Exhibit; and Rabbi Elie Spitz of Congregation Bnai Israel of Tustin, is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14. The event is free, but reservations are requested and may be made by contacting
naware@chapman.edu
or calling 714-532-7748.