Like Many UC Davis Students, Harry Potter turns 21 this year. You'll find his bespectacled self at the library. All the time. He doesn't even take time off for lunch.
And, as promised from the headline, you can tour this exhibition during lunch or a similar short work or school break. It's Lunchable.
2018 marks 21 years since the first book in the Harry Potter series was published — and a literary phenomenon was born. This exhibit highlights the impact of the Harry Potter series in academic literature from a wide range of disciplines, including religious studies, education, philosophy, law, medicine, society and culture, and the arts. In the lobby case. You can visit Harry through March 22. More details available here.
Curated by Research Support Services
Prepared by Roberto C. Delgadillo, Subject Specialist Librarian
Exhibit Description
On June 26, 1997, Bloomsbury Publishing in London published Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by British author J. K. Rowling and a literary phenomenon was born.
Millions of readers have followed Harry throughout the seven-book series, reveling in his adventures at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he discovered his heritage, perfected his magical abilities, and examined important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice, and the responsibility that comes with power.
Although he struggled with fear of becoming an evil wizard like Lord Voldemort, Harry is reminded by friends and mentors that his compassionate and unselfish use of magic sets the two apart. Time and again, Harry’s desire to do what is right helped him to defeat Lord Voldemort, keeping all that the young wizard loves safe from harm.
This exhibit of selected English-language, nonfiction print and electronic access books, dissertations, articles, reviews, interviews, media ties-ins, and images highlight the impact of the Harry Potter series in academic literature. These titles are available at the UC Davis Library, as well as other academic and public libraries. The aforementioned works encompass a variety of disciplines including religious studies, education, philosophy, law, medicine, society and culture, and the arts.
Exhibit and accompanying online bibliography prepared by Delgadillo. More information: (530) 752-8266, rdelgadillo@ucdavis.edu.
From the curator's perspective
Twenty-one years after the publication of the first book, what makes the Harry Potter series so relevant that people are still studying its influence today? It’s all about connections according to exhibit curator and UC Davis subject specialist librarian Roberto Delgadillo. Since the first book was published in 1997, Harry Potter has become a worldwide phenomenon that has bonded readers, scholars and fans together from across different cultures and backgrounds.
UC Davis was among the first libraries in the UC system to start collecting Harry Potter books and related academic material more than a decade ago. This exhibit includes books, images, models and articles that highlight the impact of the Harry Potter series in academic literature. In addition, the exhibit contains works that influenced J.K. Rowling’s writing.
For Delgadillo, this exhibit is a way to celebrate how the Harry Potter series has grown over the years. For the rest of Delgadillo's blog, read more here.