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April 2018
Interview Roger Myers Interviewed by Krista Neis |
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Roger Myers. Photo credit John de Dios, UAZNews
Roger Myers has Master degrees in History of Religions (Chicago) and Library Science (Arizona). He has worked at a number of repositories including the Center for Creative Photography, and presently is at the University of Arizona’s Main Library’s Special Collections where he serves as Associate Librarian and Archivist. Myers collects unusual, rare and artist’s books for Special Collections. Here Myers is interviewed by Krista Neis.
The University of Arizona Main Library’s Special Collections holds “primary research materials chiefly in the fields of literature, Arizona and Southwestern history, and the sciences. We also have important and substantial collections relating to the lands and peoples of Arizona and the US-Mexican borderlands region,” according to the Special Collections website.
The University of Arizona Main Library’s Special Collections holds “primary research materials chiefly in the fields of literature, Arizona and Southwestern history, and the sciences. We also have important and substantial collections relating to the lands and peoples of Arizona and the US-Mexican borderlands region,” according to the Special Collections website.
Artist book _Journey_ by Beata Wehr
The artist’s books collection follows this lead in terms of subject matter of particular interest, according to Assistant Librarian and Archivist J. Roger Myers. Roger is in the Special Collections Department and oversees the book arts collection at the UA’s Main Library.
Roger describes how in the 1940s, the library began to collect Bandar Log Press books, started by journalist Frank Holmes from Chicago who came to Arizona for his health around the turn of the last century. His press published artist's books, including poetry and handmade books. At that time, friends would donate books by Frank Holmes that the library lacked, and his books were the earliest in what would later become Special Collections at UA.
Read a bit about Bandar Log Press, Frank Holmes (1868 - 1904), and the Kipling monkey reference that inspired Bandar’s name here. Bandar Log Press
In 1958 the library began taking books people donated or that migrated from other areas of the university as well as purchasing books of particular interest. These rare, unusual, or important books were drawn together in a newly-formed library department, Special Collections. By the 1970s, the library had a specific mission/policy: to focus on books that referenced the U.S west of the Mississippi, including history, government, exploration, book arts and territorial imprints.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the University of Arizona was systematically collecting books from fine presses and artist’s books for their unique tactile qualities, text, art and form.
Today, Special Collections serves as the repository of rich archives to serve the research needs of Arizona. Access is easy. First, it’s centralized. At another institution, you may find resources to be more spread out across a campus. Second, at UA, anyone can read anything, without needing a university affiliation. Some 70 percent of visitors to UA Special Collections are not from the University of Arizona.
Roger describes how in the 1940s, the library began to collect Bandar Log Press books, started by journalist Frank Holmes from Chicago who came to Arizona for his health around the turn of the last century. His press published artist's books, including poetry and handmade books. At that time, friends would donate books by Frank Holmes that the library lacked, and his books were the earliest in what would later become Special Collections at UA.
Read a bit about Bandar Log Press, Frank Holmes (1868 - 1904), and the Kipling monkey reference that inspired Bandar’s name here. Bandar Log Press
In 1958 the library began taking books people donated or that migrated from other areas of the university as well as purchasing books of particular interest. These rare, unusual, or important books were drawn together in a newly-formed library department, Special Collections. By the 1970s, the library had a specific mission/policy: to focus on books that referenced the U.S west of the Mississippi, including history, government, exploration, book arts and territorial imprints.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the University of Arizona was systematically collecting books from fine presses and artist’s books for their unique tactile qualities, text, art and form.
Today, Special Collections serves as the repository of rich archives to serve the research needs of Arizona. Access is easy. First, it’s centralized. At another institution, you may find resources to be more spread out across a campus. Second, at UA, anyone can read anything, without needing a university affiliation. Some 70 percent of visitors to UA Special Collections are not from the University of Arizona.
Artist book _Seeds of Discovery_ by Curt Dornberg and Margaret Suchland
Roger Myers says the book arts collection and their exhibition bring a different audience to the library. “It’s a learning and public relations event for the university,” he says. Exhibits are always drawn from the permanent collection; UA does not host visiting or traveling collections. There simply is neither staff nor budget.
How does the library go about adding to the book arts collection? “We go to collectors and other sources with intent: to find books that will enhance research and teaching here at UA,” says Roger. “Dealers call or send catalogs, and we attend book shows.” Odd numbered years, he goes to CODEX whose biennial book-fair-and-symposium at Berkeley features many who produce, collect and sell, and draws participants world-wide, including new presses.
When he is notified of publication of limited editions that fit the collecting scope, “Well, there are some you must buy, and better to do it when they first come out, as they may never be more affordable,” he says.
Some factors that may come into play in determining whether or not to purchase include the following: usefulness in terms of research or instruction; unique bindings; content that features local, Western or Southwestern geography, history, culture or authors. There is no rigid standardized list of criteria for selection. A book artist can showcase their offerings on a web page or contact Roger Myers at lbry-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu.
Gifts to Special Collections to purchase sometimes are made possible through accounts established at the UA Foundation, where donors can arrange for their gifts to underwrite only items in the books arts.
How does the library go about adding to the book arts collection? “We go to collectors and other sources with intent: to find books that will enhance research and teaching here at UA,” says Roger. “Dealers call or send catalogs, and we attend book shows.” Odd numbered years, he goes to CODEX whose biennial book-fair-and-symposium at Berkeley features many who produce, collect and sell, and draws participants world-wide, including new presses.
When he is notified of publication of limited editions that fit the collecting scope, “Well, there are some you must buy, and better to do it when they first come out, as they may never be more affordable,” he says.
Some factors that may come into play in determining whether or not to purchase include the following: usefulness in terms of research or instruction; unique bindings; content that features local, Western or Southwestern geography, history, culture or authors. There is no rigid standardized list of criteria for selection. A book artist can showcase their offerings on a web page or contact Roger Myers at lbry-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu.
Gifts to Special Collections to purchase sometimes are made possible through accounts established at the UA Foundation, where donors can arrange for their gifts to underwrite only items in the books arts.
Artist's book _Spires of Tucson_ by Jo Andersen
Roger gets news of possible acquisitions from many sources:
1. The Library of Congress.
2. The College Book Art Association. The Association publishes a peer-reviewed online journal, Openings, with critical, historical, and theoretical articles, reviews, and interviews about book art and its pedagogy. Also included are explorations of the relationship of book art to the broader art world and to related fields such as poetry, graphic design, printmaking, digital media, and other textual and/or visual disciplines. (The 2008 annual conference was held in Tucson) The organization’s website lists scholarship, award and grant opportunities, events and workshops, calls for entries and other resources. And there’s a listserv.
3. Book dealers who deal in book arts .
4. Fine presses, who send out book lists frequently and feature limited edition books
I asked Roger for a list of libraries with outstanding collections of artist’s books, libraries that might be worth visiting if on a cross country trip. He mentioned UCLA, Cal Berkeley, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin Art Library, University of Chicago, Harvard, Dartmouth, University of Delaware, Visual Studies Workshop, University of Minnesota, and Ohio State University.
In-state, other Special Collections that feature artist’s books and book arts are UA’s own Poetry Center and the Center for Creative Photography; Arizona State University; Northern Arizona University; and the Phoenix Public Library (a working collection).
I asked Roger, if there was anything else he'd like to share with our local book arts organization, PaperWorks, and artist’s book makers? “Keep on producing!” he said.
Krista Neis is retired from a career in marketing and public relations. She practices book and paper arts in Tucson, Arizona and San Diego, California. She is a member of PaperWorks, a Sonoran Arts Network sponsor.
For More Information:
CODEX: www.codexfoundation.org
College Book Art: www.collegebookart.org
Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/
Special Collections, University of Arizona: https://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
1. The Library of Congress.
2. The College Book Art Association. The Association publishes a peer-reviewed online journal, Openings, with critical, historical, and theoretical articles, reviews, and interviews about book art and its pedagogy. Also included are explorations of the relationship of book art to the broader art world and to related fields such as poetry, graphic design, printmaking, digital media, and other textual and/or visual disciplines. (The 2008 annual conference was held in Tucson) The organization’s website lists scholarship, award and grant opportunities, events and workshops, calls for entries and other resources. And there’s a listserv.
3. Book dealers who deal in book arts .
4. Fine presses, who send out book lists frequently and feature limited edition books
I asked Roger for a list of libraries with outstanding collections of artist’s books, libraries that might be worth visiting if on a cross country trip. He mentioned UCLA, Cal Berkeley, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin Art Library, University of Chicago, Harvard, Dartmouth, University of Delaware, Visual Studies Workshop, University of Minnesota, and Ohio State University.
In-state, other Special Collections that feature artist’s books and book arts are UA’s own Poetry Center and the Center for Creative Photography; Arizona State University; Northern Arizona University; and the Phoenix Public Library (a working collection).
I asked Roger, if there was anything else he'd like to share with our local book arts organization, PaperWorks, and artist’s book makers? “Keep on producing!” he said.
Krista Neis is retired from a career in marketing and public relations. She practices book and paper arts in Tucson, Arizona and San Diego, California. She is a member of PaperWorks, a Sonoran Arts Network sponsor.
For More Information:
CODEX: www.codexfoundation.org
College Book Art: www.collegebookart.org
Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/
Special Collections, University of Arizona: https://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/