Library announces exhibition 'Arctic Month: Items from the Collection'

9:27 a.m., April 4, 2016--This April will be Arctic Month, a month-long celebration at the University of Delaware focusing on Arctic research being done by members of the UD community. Lectures, films, exhibits and other events will explore the science, history and changing life of the Arctic region. 

As part of the activities, University of Delaware Library Special Collections will mount a rotating, single-case exhibit titled “Arctic Month: Items from the Collection,” in the library's Information Room. The exhibition will run from April 1 to April 30 and each week it will highlight different materials from the collection on Arctic exploration.

Events Stories

June 5: Blue Hen 5K

University of Delaware graduates planning to attend Alumni Weekend are encouraged to register for the annual Blue Hen 5K walk and run, which will be held Sunday morning, June 5.

June 6-9: Food and culture series

The 20th annual June Lecture Series at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UD in Wilmington will be held June 6-9. Titled 'June a la Carte,' this year's program focuses on great political documents, feminism, world politics and a Newark cuisine sampler.

• June 6-9: Food and culture series
• Through June 30: 'Saving White Clay Creek'
• July 22: WWE Heatwave Tour
• Through Sept. 16: Women of color in academia

“Arctic Month: Items from the Collection” will include rare items such as the first edition of the Journal of Captain Cook’s Last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1781) and a first edition of An Account of the Arctic Regions by William Scoresby, from 1820. 

Capt. James Cook’s voyage of 1776-79 was an attempt to find a northwest ocean passage from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. After arriving at what are now known as the Hawaiian Islands, Cook’s expedition investigated and surveyed the northwest coast of North America and the northern coast of Alaska. These were the first European activities documenting the geography of the region. Cook’s Journal was published in1781.

English scientist and clergyman William Scoresby (1789-1857) made many important findings in Arctic geography, meteorology and oceanography as a result of his numerous voyages to the region. His book An Account of the Artic Regions was the first detailed, scholarly description of the Arctic whale fishing activity being carried out by Europeans. The book attracted a wide readership, composed of both scientists and laypersons. 

“Artic Month: Items from the Collection” will be available for viewing during the library's regular hours. An online version will be available online. 

Timothy Murray, head of Special Collections, and Curtis Small, assistant librarian, will curate the exhibit. 

The Arctic Month page for information about other related events will provide further campus information.