Kuwaiti Comics Arrive on Time, but the Baklava is Late: Middle East and Muslim Studies-Related Programming at a US Academic Library

Deborah J. Margolis

deborahm@msu.edu

Michigan State University

Librarian for Anthropology, Jewish Studies, Muslim Studies, Middle East Area Studies

Middle East Librarians Association

October 8, 2013

Building Relationships with the Community• Qur’an burned near Islamic Center in our town (9/10)• Library responds with small exhibit & libguide

libguides.lib.msu.edu/quranexhibit

Building Relationships with Liaison Area

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•Library infrastructure for public programs:PR, Facilities & AV support

•Requests for prayer room

Join Wider Initiatives• Campus initiative: “10 Years After 9/11”• Library event: film and community dialogue

• Film and dialogue materials provided by national org

www.20000dialogues.org

NEH/ALA Muslim Journeys Community-Wide Programming

www.programminglibrarian.org/muslimjourneys•Program content: Faculty•Partner: Public Libraries•Partner: Humanities Council

•Film Screenings:Public Performance Rightswww.swank.com

Wham! Bam! Islam! event • MSU Libraries Comic Art Collection• Collect The 99 from Kuwait• Display at event• Promote collections in event intro

• Co-sponsors• Choosing a date

www.interfaithcalendar.org• Accommodations/Disabilities • Refreshments & Volunteers

Next up: Let’s Talk About It• Series of 5 scholar-led book discussion programs• Co-sponsorship from Islamic Center & Clergy Association• Program evaluation

Is public programming worth it?

─Time─Cost

Mission of organization & library

+Relationships with faculty+Relationships with community

+Library as place+Librarian as connector