MEDIA CONTACT: Terri Berns
561-297-1164, tberns@fau.edu

FAU Libraries Celebrates Major Milestone with its Millionth Book

New Book Arts Title "A Field of Owls" Published by FAU Libraries' Minerva: The Press at Wimberly Features Historic Letterpress Printing and Unique Book Binding Style

BOCA RATON, FL (August 12, 2005) - Florida Atlantic University Libraries celebrates its millionth book with the unveiling of a new, limited edition Book Arts title, A Field of Owls: The Burrowing Owl Observed, published by FAU Libraries' fine arts press, "Minerva: the Press at Wimberly." The handmade book, which features letterpress printing and a specially designed binding, will be on display as part of a related exhibition Wednesday, September 7 through Sunday, December 11, 2005, at the Jaffe Atrium Book Arts Gallery, Wimberly Library, FAU, 777 Glades Road. This exhibition is free and open to the public; call for hours.

"It is unusual for a library to create its own millionth book," said Dr. William Miller, director of FAU Libraries. "However, it is emblematic of this library, with its emphasis on artists' books, and its access to fine book press equipment, plus the staff talented in the craft of letterpress printing. Most libraries spend thousands of dollars for a first edition of some rare book for this kind of event."

FAU's Book Arts Coordinator John Cutrone, working with Arthur Jaffe, curator of FAU Libraries' "Arthur and Mata Jaffe Collections: Books as Aesthetic Objects," created a special artistic and aesthetic publication of A Field of Owls using letterpress printing and special bookbinding. "The printing process is centuries old in the tradition of fine book making, with everything being done by hand - the paper is made by hand; the book is printed and bound by hand. The printing is three dimensional, relief printing, wherein the type is embossed into the paper. This differs dramatically from digital and offset printing," said Cutrone.

The book was printed by Cutrone and FAU Libraries' Collections Specialist Seth Thompson at the studios of Convivio Bookworks in Lake Worth, Florida. Original pen & ink illustrations were created by Terri Berns, a local artist who is also FAU Libraries' director of communications and cultural Affairs. The limited edition of 100 copies was printed on Twinrocker handmade paper and then bound by hand by Paula Marie Gourley at Lilyhouse Studio Editions, Eugene, Oregon.

Copy number one was specially bound and boxed by Gourley and includes the original
copper plate engraving used to print the owl illustration. It will be placed at the Arthur & Mata Jaffe Collection at the Wimberly Library.

Ms. Gourley is an internationally renowned Master Bookbinder, with 25 years of experience. "Commissioned to bind A Field of Owls, Gourley used a special 'yapp' binding technique, causing the two covers to come together in a unique, complete closure style--hiding the contents within. This artistic concept relates to the burrowing of the FAU owl mascot, the burrowing owl, which also hides from view. The book is about the size of the small bird and similar in color, all elements that add to the aesthetic of this art book," said Jaffe. "The text includes a forward from the president, as well as stories, anecdotes and reminiscences by faculty and staff. It is truly an intimate book about FAU, by FAU and for FAU and the greater community."

FAU President Frank T. Brogan notes in the book's forward, "How appropriate that the millionth book to be added to Florida Atlantic University's extensive library collection is a small but important volume devoted to a small but important subject: the burrowing owl …The owls are often called "feisty," and this can also be said of FAU, which has grown from a small local institution to a multi-campus university …Owls are renowned for their wisdom, an image that fits the University well … FAU is proud to claim the tough little bird described in these pages as its own."

The FAU Mascot has been observed by many. One of the authors observed, "as I drive past their burrows, I slow down, and when the fields are cropped low, we regard each other. More often than not, it's me who looks away first. I'm the one just passing through."

For additional information about the book and related exhibition or to purchase a limited edition owl print, please call the Jaffe Collection at 561-297- 0226 or email jcutrone@fau.edu.

-FAU-