The University Library is delighted to be taking part for the second time in the international museum, library and archive Color Our Collections week, running from 5-9 February.
Curators from institutions around the world have been selecting images from their collections for members of the public to download and colour, enabling people of all ages to interact with books and manuscripts in a completely new way. While most libraries do not usually encourage drawing in their books, this event offers the opportunity to do just that and then put your art up on your wall!
The Library’s booklet, which in 2017 was downloaded 9,000 times, sits alongside those registered by over 100 other collections at the library website of the New York Academy of Medicine and can be downloaded from this link: Cambridge University Library Color Our Collections.
As well as being available online, copies will also be distributed throughout the West Road building. Andy Corrigan, Digital Library Co-ordinator, who collated this year’s booklet said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to engage with new audiences throughout the world. Many of the items we’ve included are available to view in full on the Digital Library and we hope there will be something to interest everyone.”
You will find a huge variety of colouring books at ColorOurCollections.org ranging from national libraries to small-scale specialist museums. Whether you like botany or Beatrix Potter, New Mexico or medicine, there will be a colouring book to fire your imagination.
Why not share your creations with us? Tweet @theUL with the tag #ColorOurCollections, or post your coloured images to our Facebook page at facebook.com/cambridgeuniversitylibrary