Exhibitions & Events: Current exhibitions
It is the role of the Lilly Library to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of both the dedicated researcher and the casual visitor. In order to achieve this, the Library promotes a wide range of activities including exhibitions and special events such as poetry readings, musical performances and receptions, as well as lectures, tours, and class presentations.
Main Gallery
"The Remarkable Characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle"
September 21 to December 19, 2009
The Remarkable Characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle focuses on Conan Doyle’s most renowned character, Sherlock Holmes, and his cohorts in many of the publications of the Holmes canon — the four novels and fifty-six short stories featuring the great detective. Among the items displayed are the very first Sherlock Holmes appearance in A Study in Scarlet, in Beeton’s Christmas Annual of 1887 and His Last Bow in 1917, the manuscript of "The Adventure of the Red Circle," and a note in Conan Doyle’s hand-writing with the start of the fateful letter: "My dear Watson, I write these few lines through the courtesy of Mr. Moriarty, who awaits my convenience for the final discussion of those questions which lie between us." But the display also presents materials illustrating many of Conan Doyle’s less well-known characters, including Sir Nigel Loring, Brigadier Etienne Gerard, and Professor Challenger. In addition, The Remarkable Characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle includes sections about the continuing popularity of Sherlock Holmes on the stage, radio, screen, and the numerous stories and novels based on him, and a section on Conan Doyle himself and his spiritualist beliefs.
Lincoln Room
"Music for the Worms: A Darwin 'Themester' Exhibit at the Lilly Library"
November 18–December 19, 2009
Curator, Christoph Irmscher, IU English Professor
Rather than the heroic near–saint promoted in a flurry of books written for the Bicentennial, the Darwin highlighted in this exhibition, drawn mostly from the holdings of [the] Lilly Library, is a thoroughly social and sociable being, a man equipped with an exellent sense of humor, a keen awareness of his popular appeal, and an urgent desire to crush his enemies.
More information is available at http://themester.indiana.edu/events/lilly.shtml.
Slocum Puzzle Room
"Revolutions and Solutions: A Celebration of the World's Most Iconic Puzzle"
Opening April 8, 2009
An exhibition on the Rubik's cube featuring examples of various cube puzzles and original documents related to the cube as well as hands-on puzzles to challenge visitors of all ages.
"A World of Puzzles"
A selection of puzzles from the world's largest collection of mechanical puzzles. Read more about these intriguing objects in the Guide to the Collections: Slocum Puzzle Collection.
