Some time ago, I stumbled upon a Twitter feed from the British Library.
- Detail of a miniature of mice laying siege to a castle defended by a cat, from a Book of Hours, Harley MS 6563, f. 72r . Used with permission from the British Library
You may have recently seen them featured in the American Libraries online newsletter. I’ve become slightly addicted to images from these manuscripts. I’ve started following other Medievalists on Twitter. On weekend mornings, I enjoy a cup of tea while browsing the images from the British Library and from a librarian named Rob Miller who tweets snappy captions for the images he posts. I’ve even had some Twitter-interactions with these fine folks who are very kind to answer questions about the images.
What does this have to do with children’s librarianship, you may ask? Not a whole lot, but I do love interacting with other librarians, and seeing them post about their own specialties. The images are often child-like, and somehow they remind me of illustration in children’s books–fraught with metaphor and humor. I am especially reminded of early books, such as those from the 1930’s and 40’s. The manuscript illuminations have a limited color palette (though much richer than early picture books) and a recognizable style that does what a good picture book does: extends the story and asks the reader to look more closely. Also, the YA reader in me loves the intrigue surrounding these images, and brings to mind some of my favourite “books about books”.
I cannot resist exploring the illuminations from these incunabula (I just love that word). So, while being a closet Medievalist does not, perhaps, make me a better children’s librarian, it does help me appreciate that there are so many types of librarians and how important we all are. Perhaps there’s a librarian in one of these lovely old libraries who secretly follows Flannel Friday, holding her penchant for felt close to her heart. We all bring joy to someone.
Marge Loch-Wouters
Angela, you kindred spirit you! I majored in Medieval Lit in college and can still speak with a mean Old English lilt! How did my path lead me to children’s librarianship? Who can say? But I look forward to resuming my Latin and Old English studies again. OED, Oh how I worship you!
Robert Miller
This is a wonderful post, Angela. I love how you point out similarities between medieval manuscript illuminations and children’s and YA books.
I’ve worked part-time as a children’s librarian and, in other public library jobs I’ve held, I’ve seen the wonderful, selfless work that children’s and YA librarians do.
My current library job has nothing whatsoever to do with medieval manuscripts. Like you, I am just a big fan!
There are so many brilliant, welcoming medievalists on Twitter that it would be impossible to make any kind of a complete list. But here are some other folks to follow for fun images of illuminated manuscripts:
@blmedieval
@Peripheralpal
@bxknits
@DamienKempf
@JohanOosterman
@erik_kwakkel
That’s just a very people in the vibrant Twitter community involved with medieval manuscripts!
All my best,
Robert