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Libraries Receives $100,000 Gift
 In September, Frank and Betty Quirk made a planned gift of $100,000 to the Libraries for digitization and technology initiatives. This gift builds upon their endowment, The Frank J. and Betty M. Quirk Endowment, which was established in 2000 to support the technological framework of the Libraries. Frank served as a member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board from 2001-2009, including appointments of Vice-Chair and Chair.
"As some of the 'unsung heroes' of the Smithsonian, the Libraries deserved our special support. We chose an endowment approach for our gift in support of the technology needs of the Smithsonian Libraries," says Quirk. "We wanted our gift to have a long term impact, while providing flexibility to the Libraries in addressing its' information technology needs. Since we made our initial gift, these technology changes have been even more dramatic than anything we anticipated back in 2000. For us, the endowment approach was perfect, allowing us to have impact initially, add funds over time, and to include the Libraries in our estate planning."
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Cullman Library Acquires Salviani Book
 The Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library recently acquired Ippolito Salviani's Aquatilium animalium historiae (Rome, 1554), a classic, foundational work on fishes. The book is renowned as one of the three 16th-century works that established ichthyology as a modern science. The Libraries holds the other two - Belon's De aquatilibus (1553, a Latin translation of his Histoire de la nature des estranges poissons marins, 1551) and Rondelet's Libri de piscibus marinis (1554) - and has now completed the trio.
A professor of medicine at the University of Rome and physician to several  Popes, Salviani (1514-1572) collected fishes in the markets of Rome and incorporated anatomical notes to support his systematic studies, correcting and expanding the works of the ancient authors (Aristotle, Pliny, et al.).The first part of the book consists of synoptic tables of fish species - their characteristics, names in multiple languages, and source information in the classical authors; the main text provides in-depth descriptions of the fishes Salviani examined, with illustrations. Ninety-three species of fishes and cephalopods are depicted in the plates, with 18 of them new to the science of the time; unlike Belon and Rondelet, Salviani was the first to limit the concept of fish to solely-aquatic vertebrates.
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Preserving Alphabets and Needlework: The Smithsonian Women's Committee
The Smithsonian Women's Committee granted the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Library an award in 2012-13 for the preservation and re-housing of two important and rare embroidery and lace manuals dating from the early 17th and late 18th century. Due to their poor and fragile condition, they could not be handled and would have continued to deteriorate if left untreated.
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Book conservator Georgia Southworth was contracted to clean, repair, encapsulate, refurbish boards and spines, strengthen text blocks, and create custom enclosures for these two manuals so that future deterioration would be abated. They can now be handles without harm, can be displayed, and are ultimately suitable candidates for digitization.
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"Zeichen" before repairs
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One of the preserved manuals, Zeichen- Mahler und Stickerbuch zur Selbstbelehrung für Damen welche sich mit diesen Künsten beschäftigen, is a very rare and valuable first edition of the most extensive embroidery manuals of the 18th century. This is a self-study instruction book on drawing, painting, and embroidery for women, created by Johann Friedrich Netto, (active 1795-1809). The folio contains hundreds of designs that can be traced and copied in creating floral embroidery designs. View the "after" photos and read more about this project here.
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BHL Featured in ARL Report
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Spring Internship Opportunities
 The Smithsonian Libraries is currently recruiting for four spring internship projects. These are generally part time, unpaid positions and we are happy to work with universities to help students obtain credit. All are unique learning experiences with mentorship and guidance. The internships are open to grad students, recent graduates and some are open to undergrad students. Projects include:
For general information about our internship program, please see our website.
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Help Transcribe Smithsonian Libraries books!
 Did you know you that in addition to reading about the Smithsonian Libraries, you can participate in what we do? At your leisure, at your pace, from the comfort of your own home, no less.
How, you ask? By becoming a Digital Volunteer for the Libraries in the Smithsonian's Transcription Center. All you need to do is create an account, pick a page no one's already done, decipher the handwriting, and type it out in the form provided. Once you submit it, others will proof-read it, and eventually the whole book will be not only available online but searchable.
Why not give it a try? It's not hard, there's no pressure, it's interesting and even fun. And you get bragging rights -- you'll be actively helping the Smithsonian fulfill its mission of "the increase and diffusion of knowledge."
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Copernicus and the Astrologers, Featuring Robert S. Westman
 The Smithsonian Libraries will hold the 20th Annual Dibner Library Lecture on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. The lecture will be held in the Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium in the Smithsonian American Art Museum and is free and open to the public.
This year's guest lecturer is Robert S. Westman, a professor at the University of California, San Diego.
Dr. Westman specializes in the cultural history of early modern science. A graduate of the University of Michigan (1971), with a Ph.D. in the History of Science, he taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, before moving to the University of California, San Diego in 1988. He has published numerous books and articles including his most recent book, The Copernican Question: Prognostication, Skepticism and Celestial Order (2011). Click here for more information.
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Adopt-a-Book Evening
 The Libraries hosts our annual Adopt-a-Book event on Thursday, January 9, at 6:00 p.m. in the Smithsonian Castle. Enjoy a unique and lively evening to benefit the Smithsonian Libraries' rare book and preservation programs. The event will feature German food, wine and beer, and entertainment. Guests will have the opportunity to browse a trove of remarkable and historic volumes and are invited to learn more about the Libraries' special collections and why they must be preserved.
Each book featured will be available for "adoption." Gifts will benefit the Libraries' rare books and preservation programs. Donations are fully tax-deductible charitable contributions. To reserve your spot at this unique event, purchase tickets now! For questions, contact silrsvp@si.edu or call 202-633-2241.
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Upcoming Events
"Copernicus and the Astrologers"
Featuring
Robert S. Westman
December 12, 2013
5:00 p.m.
McEvoy Auditorium American Art Museum
RSVP:
SILRSVP@si.edu
or 202.633.2241
***
January 9, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Smithsonian Castle
1000 Jefferson Dr. SW
Washington, DC
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Support our Libraries
Your support is greatly appreciated.
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