We are happy to introduce Laura Michelson as the new curator of rare books and maps at the University of Iowa Libraries.
Laura previously served as the Maps Collection librarian, a term position funded by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. Prior to coming to UI Libraries, Laura worked for four years as project archivist of the Salisbury House Library Collection. In this role she curated all aspects of that collection, including collections management, instruction, outreach, and research.
Laura received a BA in medieval and early modern studies from Cornell College and an MLS from the UI with a certificate in book studies from the Center for the Book.
“I’m really honored to be working as curator of rare books and maps, particularly focused on book and material history before 1900, artists’ books, and cartography—genuinely my areas of greatest interest in the special collections world,” says Laura. “My own research interests are in book and map history, craft and materiality, book arts, and culture surrounding book collecting—all of which have rich connections to the university’s holdings and I’m excited to work with researchers and students on. Right away this fall, I’m looking forward to instruction and thinking creatively alongside scholars, stewarding acquisitions, supporting interpretation, and fostering research and exploration into materials.”
As curator of rare books and maps, Laura is excited to work with new colleagues, researchers, and the community to “illuminate areas to explore deeper in our holdings and new paths to explore … I’m excited about our collections’ roots continuing to strengthen and bolster the richness of our collections.” One of her favorite items in our collection so far is our medieval manuscript of Pharsalia (xMMs. Hi1), “which brings together some of [her] favorite things: marginalia, a manuscript from a cheeky scribe, and an early map.”
When not toiling away in our stacks, you can find Laura curating new playlists, immediately running to Letterboxd after a movie at FilmScene, or plotting a way to get outside. She loves hikes, camping, and being outside (as long as Midwest weather cooperates) with her rambunctious rescue pup, Ember. “I’m also a big thrifter! Drop by my office and you’ll see new thrifted oddities popping in, like a feed sack stuffed chicken and needlepoint frog doorstop.” And we got to say, it is a pretty amazing stuffed chicken.