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Highlights and New Acquisitions
Highlights and New Acquisitions
December 19, 2024
The Clark Library Map Collection has over 435,000 items with original items dating to 1525 and facsimiles of maps dating to several hundred more years. The collection has been very diligently assembled through purchases, government deposits, and gifts to support the instruction and research needs of our campuses and broader communities, which is all to say that we have many many amazing maps, atlases, and globes. Please join us to engage with these wonderful objects.
A Celebration of Celestial Maps Through the Ages
A Celebration of Celestial Maps Through the Ages
November 21, 2024
Humans have been mapping the location of planets, stars, and star systems for thousands of years. Throughout history, mapping the sky has been an integral part of time keeping, navigation, and understanding who we are and what is our greater relationship with the universe. We'll have on display original star maps dating to the late 17th century as well as beautiful reproductions from many cultures including Islamic, East Asian, and Western astronomers, two antique celestial globes, and many other fascinating maps. Please join us for what promises to be a very interesting window into our dynamic collection of celestial maps.
Go for the Gold! Olympic Cities Around the World
Go for the Gold! Olympic Cities Around the World
October 17, 2024
Take a trip back in time and investigate maps of Olympic host cities at the time of their respective games. From the birth of the Olympics in Athens to the 2024 games in London, join us on this journey to some of the world's most epic cities and locales. A special item that we'll have on display is the proposal and plan for Detroit's unsuccessful bid for hosting the 1944 games - Detroit Poised for Action.
Lines on the Land: Mapping Borders and Boundaries
Lines on the Land: Mapping Borders and Boundaries
September 19, 2024
Take a trip through time and explore historical book printing techniques adapted for producing and reproducing maps, from woodblock prints to lithography. Try your hand at identifying the differences between etching, engraving, or cerography. We'll have many examples from our collection on display.
Pages to Places: Literary Maps
Pages to Places: Literary Maps
April 18, 2024
Visit the Clark Library to immerse yourself in our collection of maps of fictional places, maps that illustrate various genres, and important works from across the world. Some highlights include Middle-Earth, Westeros, and Winnie-the-Pooh’s 100 Aker Wood.
A Cartographic Feast
A Cartographic Feast
March 21, 2024
Feast your eyes on gastronomic representations in maps and atlases at the Clark Library. Join us to get a visual sampling of the geographies of food, drink, and agriculture of various cultures and time periods. We'll have on view maps of wine, cheese and other food production and growing areas as well as a few menus.
Ye Olde and Ancient Mappes
Ye Olde and Ancient Mappes
February 15, 2024
The Clark Library has an extensive collection of maps and atlases from the 16th century as well as several high quality reproductions of medieval mappa mundi (world maps) and portolan charts. Many of these visually exquisite maps are more art than map. We’ll have many important geographical works on display including Ortelius’s world atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (1570), which was one of the most popular books of its time and is considered by many to be the first modern atlas.
Water, Water, Everywhere
Water, Water, Everywhere
January 18, 2024
Come immerse yourself into the depths of the world’s waters, explore ancient and modern nautical charts, maps of shipwrecks, whale migrations, and other maps and atlases that help us to understand the oceans and bodies of fresh water. Join us to experience the varied and captivating ways that cartographers from various cultures have depicted water.
Mapping Languages and Linguistics
Mapping Languages and Linguistics
November 16, 2023
Come and discover the fascinating history, evolution, and geography of languages and linguistics through maps and atlases at the Clark Library. Join us to take a visual journey to explore regional dialects, endangered languages, and more!.
Lines on the Land: Mapping Borders and Boundaries
Lines on the Land: Mapping Borders and Boundaries
October 19, 2023
Borders simultaneously unify and divide. They allow for civil administration and political control. Delve into the complexities of geopolitical tensions, land rights, historical grievances and explore the nuances of borders and boundaries through maps and atlases from the Clark Library.
cARTography: the artistry behind maps
cARTography: the artistry behind maps
July 20, 2023
Come explore captivating cartographic creations that unveil the artistry, aesthetics, and allure of mapmaking. Many of our maps are known more for their art than geography, with detailed illustrations ranging from the Renaissance to Art Deco. Please join us for this month’s student-curated open house to witness how maps transform into works of art.
Are We There Yet? Vintage Travel Maps and Guidebooks
Are We There Yet? Vintage Travel Maps and Guidebooks
June 15, 2023
Please join us to embark on a journey exploring vintage travel maps and guidebooks. Whether you seek adventure or serenity, this month’s student-curated open house will transport you across the globe. Third Thursday in the Clark Library is a themed open house that shares highlights from the Clark Library’s vast collection. View the current exhibit on display; peruse rare materials, large-format maps, and other treasures typically tucked away; and chat with our librarians.
Going Medieval On You: A Cartographic Journey
Going Medieval On You: A Cartographic Journey
May 18, 2023
Hear ye, hear ye! Please join us for this month’s student-curated open house, where you can immerse yourself in the fascinating world of medieval maps from the Clark Library and additional U-M Library collections. From cathedrals to castles, wars and plagues, Islamic and European maps — there is a rich history and cultural heritage for all to explore!
Mapping the Beauty and Fragility of Our Planet
Mapping the Beauty and Fragility of Our Planet
April 20, 2023
Join us in person to explore the past, present, and future of the Earth’s landscapes. Discover maps from the Clark Library Collection that illustrate our environment and the many challenges it faces. This Third Thursday Open House will feature U-M student projects from GIS, Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, and more!
Illustrating the World: Pictorial Maps From the Clark Library Collection
Illustrating the World: Pictorial Maps From the Clark Library Collection
March 16, 2023
Please join us to explore our diverse collection of vibrant and unique pictorial maps. Pictorial maps make up a distinct cartographic genre of artistic renderings of places and events in a way that helps shape the way people look at the world. This is a student curated event which will draw mainly from the U-M Library’s collections, including the Clark Library. Third Thursday in the Clark Library is a series of themed open houses that share highlights from the Clark Library’s vast collection.
Mapping Black America: The Great Migration and Other 20th Century Journeys
Mapping Black America: The Great Migration and Other 20th Century Journeys
February 16, 2023
Explore maps examining Black journeys and spaces in the 20th century, and visualize the ways that Black movement has impacted demographics, labor, and culture in the United States. This student-curated event will draw mainly from the U-M Library’s collections, but will also include images and printed maps from the Digital Public Library of America and the Library of Congress Great Migration collections. Join us in the Clark Library, on the second floor of the Hatcher Library.
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