June 20-Sept. 21, 2024

Waste Not: Preservation at Play

Pequot Library’s Special Collections contain many examples of bindings created from reused materials, including vellum manuscripts, wallpaper, newspapers, and handwritten paper documents. Other books in the collection serve purposes not originally intended, used by their owners as scrapbooks or to press and preserve botanical specimens—some of which are now considered endangered.

Inspired by the summer 2024 reading theme, “Read, Renew, Repeat,” Waste Not examines the ways that book creators and owners have reused materials available to them, made their own “folk repairs,” or given new purpose to books. Come view a diverse selection of Special Collections books dating back to 1570, while considering the value of re-use and preservation of resources in a culture built on disposability.

This exhibition will remain on display until September 21, 2024.