Calling all "Bibliophiles" and any lover of rare manuscripts or great prose!

Join CAARI along with Columbia Alum Philip Weimerskirch for a private showing of the Providence Public Library's Special Collections. 

The event, taking place Saturday, Oct. 14 beginning at 10:30 a.m., offers a glimpse into the library's rare book collections covering a smorgasbord of topics -- whaling, history of printing, Civil War & slavery, magic, checkers & whist, to name a few.  

Phil earned two degrees from Columbia's School of Library Service, including a master's and a "Doctor of Library Science" degrees. 

For the curious mind, Phil shares a sample of what one might discover: 

"The Wetmore Collection of Illustrated Books contains only about 400 volumes, but some of them are illustrated by Picasso, Matisse, Bonnard and other French artists. Some of the library’s most beautiful books are in this collection.

Also, there are many rare books in the library that are not kept in the Special Collections Department. The most important ones are in the Nickerson Collection of Books on Architecture. It also has many books on the decorative arts.  

There are also some rare books on costume, textiles and music in this section of the library. These books are kept on what used to be called the Folio Balcony. They are almost all folios, and they are housed on a sort of balcony."

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Beginning at noon or shortly thereafter, please feel free to meet us at the Trinity Brew House, 186 Fountain St, Providence, for appetizers and beverages.  Attendance to the Special Collections is not required to meet for lunch. 

Lots of street parking available and we're hoping for a sunny day, so won't you please join us for this enlighting, educational and free activity!   

Please kindly RSVP as this event has a limited capacity.