Library Exhibit To Explore Frankenstein Myth

A traveling exhibit that explores one of the most famous monsters of literature and film will open in the Allbritton Foyer at Baylor University's Moody Memorial Library on Wednesday, Sept. 17. "Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature," which encourages audiences to examine the intent of Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, and to discuss Shelley's and their own views about personal and societal responsibility as it relates to science and other areas of life, will run through Nov. 3.
"Anyone who has read the novel would realize that, in the 21st century, we're looking at a lot of the same issues that Mary Shelley looked at in Frankenstein," said Kathy Hillman, associate professor and acquisitions librarian and co-chair for the exhibit. "The creation of human life through cloning and other kinds of bioethical issues are certainly in the forefront today. That's the subject she deals with -- the responsibility of the individual to society, the importance of family."
To open the exhibit, Dr. Betty T. Bennett, distinguished professor of literature at American University, will present a lecture on the novel at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in Jones Concert Hall of the Glennis McCrary Music Building with a reception following in the Allbritton Foyer. Admission is free.
Other events held in conjunction with the exhibit are:
Frankenstein Saturday Story Fest
1 - 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11
Waco Public Library (Main Library - 1717 Austin Ave.)
(Co-sponsored by Building a Nation of Readers, Artists and Dreamers, and
the Waco-McLennan County Public Library)
Treat Night at the Library
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28
Allbritton Foyer, Moody Memorial Library
Frankenstein at the Drive-In Movies
8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30
Ferrell Center Parking Lot
(Co-sponsored by Baylor Activities Council)
"Playing With Fire: The Frankenstein Myth Through the Ages"
Panel Discussion
7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3
Barfield Drawing Room, Bill Daniel Student Center
(Co-sponsored by: Alpha Epsilon Delta - Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Honor Society)
Frankenstein Blood Drive
To Be Scheduled

The Baylor University Libraries system is among 80 U.S. libraries selected to host the exhibit and was one of 40 selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities to receive a grant for programming related to the exhibit, which will show how playwrights, filmmakers and the media have transformed Shelley's saga into one of the Western world's most enduring myths.
"Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature" was developed by the National Library of Medicine in collaboration with the American Library Association. It has been made possible by major grants from The National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, D.C., and the
National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Md.
The traveling exhibition is based upon a major exhibition produced by the National Library of Medicine in 1997-1998.
For more information, visit www.baylor.edu/Library/frankenstein or call (254) 710-2112.