Beyond Displays: Practical Tips for Curating Engaging Library Exhibitions

Abstract

Library exhibitions are increasingly used to activate underutilized spaces, promote collections, and support student engagement. Beyond showcasing materials, exhibitions serve as flexible, low-barrier platforms for informal learning, community building, and meaningful connections between users and library resources. However, many remain static and display-focused, limiting their impact.

This proposed poster will share practical strategies for creating engaging, user-centered exhibitions. Drawing on projects at Providence University Library and collaborations with partner institutions, it highlights approaches to theme-based exhibitions and self-guided experiences that invite exploration, reflection, and participation.

Examples include themed book exhibitions (書展), such as A Frog’s Spring Travel, inspired by the Japanese mobile app Travel Frog, which uses a familiar narrative to encourage playful exploration of curated collections. Other cases include a toy recycling initiative that gives new life to gently used toys—honoring their stories while beginning new journeys—and a cultural exhibition, Heroes at the Battlefields (英雄集), featuring seven historical figures in Taiwanese culture. The presentation also explores the use of Generative AI in exhibition development. Participants will gain practical strategies and adaptable ideas for creating engaging exhibitions in their own libraries.