The book: a death greatly exaggerated

The venerable printed book is alive and well, says John Shoesmith, outreach librarian at the University of Toronto's Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library - and he has curated an exhibition of original books from Canadian small presses to prove the point.

“As I researched and considered what to display in this exhibition, lurking in the shadows was the growth of electronic publishing and e-books,” says Shoesmith.“But after going through probably close to 400 small press materials held here at the Fisher Library, I felt emboldened.

"My faith in the future of the printed book, particularly in the hands of Canada’s amazingly talented small press community, became more assured."

With more than 60 books on display, most of which were produced over the last decade and represent small press publishers from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, the exhibition demonstrates the liveliness and inventiveness of the bookmaking craft in Canada, Shoesmith says.

"In short, it’s a celebration of the printed book as it exists today," says Shoesmith. "Hence the title, which I of course stole from Mark Twain commenting on his own demise: A Death Greatly Exaggerated.”

The exhibition is broken down into five separate themes: the literary presses, including both veterans of the trade, such as Coach House Press and House of Anansi, and newcomers such as Gaspereau Press of Kentville, N.S., and Toronto’s BookThug; illustrated works and artists’ books; Barbarian Press (including the making of its stunning fine press edition of Shakespeare’s The Play of Pericles Prince of Tyre); Barbarian offsprings and the British Columbia small press; and, micropresses, chapbooks, and self-published books. It also features a section of small and miniature books and broadsides.

The exhibition, which runs through the summer until August 30, demonstrates the Fisher Library’s rich small press holdings and its commitment to building its small and fine press collections, says Shoesmith.

For more information, please visit: http://fisher.library.utoronto.ca/events-exhibits/current-exhibition.

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, which houses the University of Toronto’s Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, is Canada’s largest rare book library. It holds 700,000 volumes and 3,000 linear metres of manuscript material.