College Libraries

Celebrate 25 years of marriage equality with the folks who made it happen! Join Special Collections for a panel discussion with speakers involved in the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force and the landmark Baker v. Vermont case, one of the first judicial affirmations of the right of same-sex couples, which led to civil unions for same-sex couples in 2000. Panelists include federal judge Beth Robinson, attorney Susan Murray, plaintiffs and activists Stannard Baker, Peter Harrigan, Holly Puterbagh, Lois Farnham, and Vermont legislator Bill Lippert. 

Join us to celebrate the opening of the new Special Collections exhibit in Davis Family Library! Curated by Ambar Vasquez-Mitra ‘25 and Yvette Fordjour ‘26, this exhibit explores the art of scrapbooking at Middlebury, featuring 100 years of college scrapbooks that showcase the varied and timeless ways Midd Kids define themselves and their experience. 

WiDS Middlebury is independently organized by Breanna Guo ‘24.5 to be part of the mission to increase participation of women in data science and to feature outstanding women doing outstanding work. This fall, we have invited Middlebury alumni and professors, and Professor Laurie Baker from Bates College to talk about the range of work they do with data science, from mapping ocean ecosystems to leading business analytics for the Buffalo Bills.

Collaboration between Alianza, Palana, and Special Collections to showcase art and special artifacts that reference Hispanic Culture in honor of Hispanic Heritage month. The event will be catered with mini-tacos and mini-empanadas

What do a Qur’an manuscript, a tiny book of sandwich recipes, a 1990s photograph of Black Middlebury students, and a gauze page inspired by Renaissance Herbals have in common? Someone who works in Middlebury’s Special Collections and Archives loves them (and wants you to learn about them)! Join our students and staff for guided tours of the Special Collections “Staff Picks” exhibit in the library atrium (start times at 12:15pm and 2:15pm), and visit our open house in Special Collections (Library 101) from 11am-3pm. 

What do a Qur’an manuscript, a tiny book of sandwich recipes, a 1990s photograph of Black Middlebury students, and a gauze page inspired by Renaissance Herbals have in common? Someone who works in Middlebury’s Special Collections and Archives loves them (and wants you to learn about them)! Join our students and staff for guided tours of the Special Collections “Staff Picks” exhibit in the library atrium (start times at 12:15pm and 2:15pm), and visit our open house in Special Collections (Library 101) from 11am-3pm. 

Home to rare books and manuscripts that represent the breadth and diversity of written culture over millennia, Special Collections serves as a research laboratory for the history of the book and material culture; in addition to collecting and preserving the history of the College, as custodians for the Middlebury College Archives. See for yourself at our open house, and make sure to join our student associates for tours of our “Staff Picks” exhibit at 12:15pm and 2:15pm to see the items that inspire and delight the students and staff that work with them. 

Reminisce about eclipses past! Materials on view include a newly donated 1748 eclipse map, a 1653 book featuring Galileo’s lunar observations, and a drawing of an 1806 eclipse by a Middlebury student! Themed snacks provided.

In conjunction with the Middlebury Performing Arts Series’ presentation of Rachel Mars’ solo theatre show Your Sexts Are Sh*t: Older Better Letters, Middlebury College Special Collections offers an open house filled with objects of desire past and present. Stop by to view love letters, dance cards, crush lists, and other objects that showcase how Middlebury students express love and desire. Staff and students will be on hand to answer questions while you leaf through history.

Join Middlebury alumnae from the class of 1970 Bee Ottinger and Karla Baehr for their discussion of representation, feminism, and their experience embracing their sexuality after attending Middlebury in the 1960s. (Photo by Bee Ottinger circa 1972, Los Angeles, CA.)

Located in the Special Collections Reading Room (Davis Family Library Room 101).

Also sponsored by Special Collections and the Feminist Resource Center at Chellis House.