Putting the Horse before Descartes: Creating Virtual Rare Book Exhibits

The Thomas Baker Slick Memorial Library with Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, is home to a unique collection of special and rare works from the 16th to the 20th century. The collection was used for popular library programming with staff researchers making connections from foundational science to modern innovations taking place right in their labs. When the stay-at-home orders hit, the idea to create a virtual Rare Book exhibit was no longer just a nicety but a priority. We’ll review the process to transition our in-person exhibits to an on-line exhibit and discuss how this positions us for even more exciting collaborations.