Vol. 17, No. 18	Feb. 5, 1998

African-American poetry featured in library

The first part of an exhibition of "African-American Poetry" will be displayed on the first floor of the Morris Library from Feb. 6-May 5. This first exhibition will focus upon African-American poetry of the 18th and 19th centuries, featuring such well-known authors as Phillis Wheatley and Paul Laurence Dunbar and the works of lesser-known figures, such as Jupiter Hammon, George Moses Horton and Frances E.W. Harper.

The second display, to be presented from June 23-Sept. 28, will highlight African-American poetry during the 20th century and will include work by Countee Cullen, Alice Dunbar Nelson, Sterling Brown, Gwendolyn Brooks, Amiri Baraka, Ishmael Reed, Audrey Lorde, Maya Angelou, Wanda Coleman, Rita Dove and others.

The UD Library houses a wealth of primary and secondary materials relating to African-American poetry, including original books and manuscripts, biographical, historical and critical works, anthologies, sound recordings and microforms. Reflecting the library's efforts to provide electronic access to research materials is the Database of African-American Poetry, 1760-1900. This CD-Rom database covers the works of 54 African-American poets who wrote during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the exhibItions will feature examples from all of these resources.

The past several decades have brought a phenomenal surge of interest in all aspects of African-American poetry, and the work of numerous early poets has been resurrected and made available for students and scholars.

"During the 20th century, African-American poets have produced some of the most important writing of our time," Susan Brynteson, director of libraries, said, "and the University of Delaware Library holdings in this area offer numerous opportunities for research and teaching." In addition to a strong collection of published primary and secondary works, the Special Collections Department possesses major holdings of first editions and manuscripts relating to African-American poetry, including the papers of such prominent figures as Alice Dunbar Nelson and Ishmael Reed.

The exhibitions are co-curated by Sharon Epp, Pauline A. Young Resident and Timothy Murray.

For more information, visit the University of Delaware Library web page at: http://www.lib.udel.edu