Panel to consider the importance of book collections

The eight-person panel will be part of the event, “Inventory and Invention.” The panel will convene in the Joanne and Peter Kenny Theatre from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on March 9, 2020, to discuss how book collections foster both creative and critical productions in literature as well as in the broader creative economy. This will be a free event.

The panel will consider such questions as:

• How do authors make use of private or public book collections? 
• How might the absence of book collections, or the fragmentary quality of archives, influence the production of literature and criticism by feminists, African Canadians, and Indigenous authors? 
• If book collections have been the foundation of the knowledge and educational economies for centuries, what continuing role do they play in a digital age?
• How have book collections influenced the production of canonical works? 

The panel will include representatives from Western University the affiliates, and Fanshawe College, including:

• Dr. Ian Rae (King’s)
• Dr. Scott Schofield (Huron)
• James Purkis (Western)
• Mary Helen McMurran (Western)
• Dr. Alyssa MacLean (Western)
• Manina Jones (Western)
• Dr. Dominick Grace (Brescia)
• Jeffrey Weingarten (Fanshawe)

The panel discussion comes at a time when scholars are looking to find ways of participating in a broader sharing of print resources at the major Ontario universities and, Dr. Rae explains, organizers believed it would be useful for students and library staff to hear further faculty perspectives on the issue.

Dr. Rae says the event arose from a discussion among a group of scholars at Western, Huron, and King’s about the future of the Weldon Library, which is about to undergo major renovations that will include moving tens of thousands of arts and humanities titles from London to the “Keep@Downsview” facility at the University of Toronto

“Whether you believe that we live in an information economy (where wealth is primarily generated by the collection, distribution, and processing of information), or in a creative economy (where wealth is primarily generated by the production of new forms of knowledge, products and services), you need to recognize that book collections have been the basis of these knowledge economies for centuries.  Anyone involved in (or hoping to be involved in) creative writing, teaching, library science, urban design, policy formation, or government will need to consider these issues as we adjust to the digital age and its advantages and limitations,” says Dr. Rae.

Light refreshments will be served after the doors open at 12:15 p.m.  A reception will follow, allowing opportunities for the audience to interact and network with members of the panel and interested peers. Audience members will also receive a souvenir booklet, handmade by Allograph Books, including key quotations from the panelists.

For more information, please visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/about-kings/visitor-info/calendar-of-events/inventory-and-invention-panel/