The Special Collections & University Archives Department regularly features exhibitions and displays in the Donohue Rare Book Room and in display spaces throughout the library. These exhibitions and displays share collection materials with the University community and general public. They are curated by library staff, faculty, and students. Many of the exhibitions are accompanied by virtual displays, which are available and described on this page.
For questions regarding collection materials or virtual exhibitions, please contact Maura Wilson, Special Collections & University Archives Assistant.
- Exploring Silence
Exploring Silence looks at the collections of the Donohue Rare Book Room with a focus on West Coast poetry. The theme of silence is sometimes explicitly explored, while in other works silent entities speak for themselves, such as in Robinson Jeffers’ Point Lobos poems, paired with the photography of Wolf von dem Bussche. The poems make the unspoken world speak. Some works have been silenced themselves by history. Parmenides’ Fragments notoriously consist of gaps between the fragments. Letting his words speak silently retrieves some of what is lost, and adds new dimensions. The works in the exhibition leave us, the readers, in silence, marveling at how so few words can say so much, and how well-cast words allow the wordless word and the soundless sound to become audible. - Halloween Pop-Up 2022
Happy Halloween from the Donohue Rare Book Room! This exhibit features eerie items from the University of San Francisco’s Special Collections & University Archives. From Mexican prints of anthropomorphized skeletons to 20th-century French costume designs, it displays an array of rare, fascinating pieces from across cultures, time periods, & USF history! - USF Special Collections & University Archives
This display introduces researchers, students, staff, and faculty to the Special Collections & University Archives. With information regarding the department's access and use, examples of the department spaces, and examples of Special Collections & University Archives materials, the hope is that viewers will feel comfortable reaching out with questions and curiosity after viewing this display. - Valentine's Day Pop-Up 2023
Love is in the air in the Donohue Rare Book Room!
This exhibition focuses on feelings of the heart with items from across time, including USF's own history. Scroll down to see photographs of past Dons performing Romeo & Juliet, printings of Sappho's poetry, Henry VIII's letters to Anne Boleyn, & more swoon-worthy pieces from USF SCUA's collection! - Springtime Pop-Up
Spring has sprung in the Donohue Rare Book Room! This pop-up exhibit is a collection of select materials from the University of San Francisco's Special Collections & Archives that encapsulate the spirit of springtime. Spring is a season of organic growth, spiritual importance, natural beauty, and personal reflection. From famous poems and illustrated nature guides to newspaper articles written by USF student, this exhibit presents a diverse array of works in the hopes of capturing the essence of the Spring season. - 60th Anniversary of KUSF First Broadcast
To celebrate KUSF's 60th year on the air, the University Archives curated a display of materials from the KUSF archival collection. The accompanying virtual exhibit explores the display and the history of the KUSF radio station. Read more in our blog post about this exhibition.