Buffalo Rising Online

Nov 30th 2008, 10:41am By Wudenbachs

Throughout December & January, the Downtown Central Library has a new exhibit in its series of displays of some of the Library's otherwise hidden collections. If you haven't been to the Central Library in a while, it is well worth the visit. The current exhibit is Movable Books: Revealing Unexpected Delight.

From the exhibit description: "Turn the page, twirl the dial, pull the tab, lift the flap --it is spontaneous pleasure to see what happens as pages in mechanical or pop-up books come alive. Disguised as ordinary books, the simple turn of a page transforms a two-dimensional leaf into a three-dimensional paper sculpture. Although pop-up books range greatly from simple to complex designs and from plain to ornate graphic imagery, mechanical books are sure amusement for all ages.

Pop-up books were not always the sophisticated creations available on the book market today. Mechanical books evolved from printed 14th- and 15th-century scientific and mathematical texts. Inventive astronomers, mathematicians and anatomists created movable diagrams, mostly revolving disks known as “volvelles”, to demonstrate positional and numerical relationships, as well as anatomical movement. “Harlequinades” or “metamorphoses” books came along later presenting an even simpler style of movable book in which a flap is lifted or small leaf turned to reveal another element of a story.

Today, pop-up books are widely available at book stores, flea markets, garage sales and used book dealers. Collectors, such as those in “The Movable Book Society” founded in 1992 by a Rutgers University librarian, not only enjoy the medium, but also recognize that mechanical books tend to appreciate in value over time."

The exhibition is free and open during regular library hours.

Also on display in The Ring of Knowledge for a tiny bit longer: The Big Read... Unlock the Mystery of the Falcon, a visual feast of books and objects related to the mystery genre. The "Big Read" is presented in conjunction with Just Buffalo Literary Center. Additionally in the Mark Twain Room, see the American Vandal Abroad, an exhibit about Samuel Clemens' travel writings .

Of course checking out a few books, getting Wi-fi access, having lunch at Fables, and even buying a few used books at Novel Ideas/Encore Editions for 25 cents (and Novel Ideas is also selling some Robert Sabuda pop-up ornaments and holiday cards) makes the visit to the Central Library even more enticing.