Join us for a webinar on creating impactful library exhibitions. Melanie Emerson (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) and Leora Siegel (Chicago Botanic Garden, Lenhardt Library) will draw on their experience across academic, museum, and research library contexts to illuminate the value of exhibitions as a core library function. They will consider why exhibitions matter—how they activate collections, advance institutional missions, support teaching and research, and cultivate meaningful engagement with diverse audiences. From increasing the visibility of underrepresented materials to opening new entry points into collections, exhibitions provide dynamic opportunities to interpret, contextualize, and connect.
The webinar will cover a broad range of topics related to exhibition development, from the initial concept to installation and assessment. Presenters will offer practical guidance on establishing exhibition programs, aligning projects with institutional priorities, addressing conservation concerns, and navigating space and design limitations. Special emphasis will be placed on the collaborative nature of exhibition work, including experiences partnering with faculty, students, curators, and librarians. Drawing on projects realized in diverse institutional settings, the speakers will highlight approaches that nurture creative vision while ensuring responsible stewardship.
Additionally, the session will candidly address common challenges in exhibition management, including limited resources, competing demands, sensitive or complex materials, and the ongoing balance between access and preservation. Through discussion of best practices and lessons learned, attendees will gain insight into sustainable workflows, effective communication strategies, and evaluation methods that support long-term success. This webinar is designed for library professionals seeking to launch, strengthen, or reimagine exhibition programs in ways that are mission-driven, collaborative, and responsive to their communities.
Presenters:
Leora Siegel, Senior Director of the Lenhardt Library, is celebrating 25 years at the Chicago Botanic Garden. She loves books, libraries, and plants, and sharing these interests with others, by highlighting primary sources in rare book exhibitions and tours. With M.S. degrees in Library Science, and Plant Conservation, and a BA in History, the rare book room is her happy place!
Melanie Emerson, Dean of the Library + Special Collections at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In previous positions at the University of Illinois and the Art Institute of Chicago, she managed exhibitions and public programming. Through these efforts, she works to expand access and encourage engagement with collections. She holds graduate degrees in Art History and Library + Information Science, and has worked as an art and architecture librarian for over 25 years.
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