Skip to main content

One Book, Many Interpretations Collection

 Collection
Identifier: spe-l00191

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 21 books displayed in the One Book, Many Interpretations exhibits representing 16 One Book, One Chicago titles. Of the 21 bindings in the collection, 14 were recipients of the Best Binding award. Stylistically, the books range in scope from traditional fine bindings to conceptual artist books. Descriptions of each book, provided by the binders, can be found in the collection inventory below.

Dates

  • 2006, 2011

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.

Biographical / Historical

The One Book, One Chicago program, launched by the Chicago Public Library in the fall of 2001 with To Kill a Mockingbird, encourages Chicago residents to read and discuss the same book at the same time. The goal of One Book, One Chicago is to cultivate a culture of reading and discussion in Chicago by bringing the city together around a great piece of literature.

On the fifth and tenth anniversaries of the program, bookbinders and book artists were invited to participate in a juried exhibition: One Book, Many Interpretations in 2006 and One Book, Many Interpretations: Second Edition in 2011. Entrants interpreted one of the past One Book, One Chicago titles through the art of binding, and were evaluated by three experts in bookbinding and book arts. The 2006 exhibit featured bindings from the first ten selections and the 2011 exhibit, the next ten selections; each exhibit showcased approximately 50 artistic bindings. A “Best Binding” award was issued to one interpretation of each of the 20 titles.

Extent

5.5 Linear Feet (in 4 boxes and 17 bound volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection consists of 21 artist books and fine bindings that were displayed at two juried bookbinding exhibits—One Book, Many Interpretations in 2006 and One Book, Many Interpretations: Second Edition in 2011—coinciding with the fifth and tenth anniversaries of Chicago Public Library’s One Book, One Chicago program. The books, each drawing inspiration from a previous One Book, One Chicago selection, represent a wide range of styles, from traditional fine bindings to conceptual artist books.

Arrangement

Items are arranged alphabetically by binder name.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased by Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Public Library Foundation, 2006, 2011

Title
Guide to the One Book, Many Interpretations Collection
Author
Rachel Esser
Date
September 2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Unit at Harold Washington Library Center Repository

Contact:
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875