A cutting-edge digital exhibition is being planned in the State Library Victoria to give people across the country access to its collection of some of the world’s rarest early modern books.
Announcing the upcoming exhibit, State Library said a new team of digital designers, library specialists and Australian academics were working to make one of the largest collections of rare books and manuscripts available to the public.
It said the collection was drawn from a formative period in Western political history, the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
“The new exhibition will provide public access to this national treasure beyond the State Library and completely transform the concept of an online exhibition,” the Library said.
“Over a period of 40 years, late Melbourne barrister John Emmerson amassed around 5,000 English books and ephemera from the 15th to the 18th centuries, with a particular focus on the English Civil War, and the reign and execution of Charles I,” it said.
“The Emmerson family generously donated it to the State Library in 2015.”
The Library said the Emmerson Collection rivalled international collections held by major institutions around the world, with the Emmerson Linkage project team set to open up important parts of the extraordinary collection, “making it accessible to all Victorians and bringing it to national and international prominence”.
It said the project would redefine how online exhibitions were created and experienced by combining cutting edge digital technologies and archival research.
“Users will be able to choose their own adventure while exploring the Emmerson collection, see inside rare books, and visualise the historical connections between each printed work, as if they were receiving a personal tour from a Library curator,” the State Library said.
“Richly textured 3D models will allow users to examine the structure of rare books, some of which are too fragile to be handled,” it said.
“Digital restoration of embroidered bindings and raised wirework will present these beautiful, intricate books as they would have appeared for their original owners – members of the British Royalty and archbishops – some 400 years ago.”
Senior Librarian at the State Library Victoria, Anna Welch, who is part of the Emmerson Linkage project team, said she was excited about the possibilities.
“This digital exhibition will do what a library catalogue cannot, and is not designed to do, which is to make and visualise connections between books both within their own historical context, as well as across time and between collections,” Dr Welch said.
“It will also draw out the connections between people, places and books in a dynamic way, helping people explore the rich network of relationships from which history is woven.”
She said the new digital exhibition would go live in July next year.
Along with Dr Welch, the Emmerson Linkage project team brings together experts from the Australian National University, La Trobe University, State Library Victoria, the University of Newcastle, and the Victoria University Wellington.
