Special Collections: Collection of Premier Proverb Scholar Opens at University of Vermont
From the Associated Press:
University of Vermont Professor Wolfgang Mieder, thought to be the world’s premier paroemiologist, has been studying the concise statements for 50 years, amassing thousands of books and writings that are now housed in a new unique library named after him at the school.
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The extensive library of about 9,000 volumes ranges from colleges of proverb including German, Chinese, Turkish and Hungarian to thousands of books and dissertations on what proverbs are, their origins and function. It includes, of course, Mieder’s own writings.
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Mieder talked with UVM’s library officials but the school had no room for the books. That was until recently.
In 2018, the school had just renovated a building that it considers to be its most architecturally important — the Billings Library — which over the years was no longer serving as a library. But a large lounge that returned to its original function as a reading and study room — with long tables — was lacking something on the rich wood-grained walls.
“A room without books is like a body without soul,” as the proverb goes.
Mieder’s collection soon found a home. The library opened in May.
Read the Complete Article
See Also: Learn MUCH More via this August 2019 Article from the University of Vermont
See Also: 2017 Interview with Dr. Mieder
Filed under: Archives and Special Collections, Interviews, Libraries, News, Profiles
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.