Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library has been selected through a nationwide competitive process as one of 19 U.S. public libraries to host “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?,” a traveling exhibition developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the American Library Association.
The exhibition will be hosted at Fletcher Free from Feb. 18, 2017 - March 17, 2017. Through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays and videos, the exhibition invites audiences to explore milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human — from walking upright, creating technology and eating new foods, to brain enlargement and the development of symbolic language and complex societies — advancements that define the unique position of humans in the history of life.
The exhibition welcomes different cultural perspectives on evolution and seeks to foster positive dialogue and a respectful exploration of the science. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of free library programs, including presentations by Smithsonian and local scientists.
Library staff joined forces with more than 30 local individuals and organizations, including the University of Vermont, to develop Burlington’s application.
“We are excited to be developing the programming for this exhibition with a wealth of local experience and expertise,” said Rubi Simon, Fletcher Free Library director.
Partners to date include the University of Vermont and the University of Vermont Medical Center, Champlain College, St. Michael’s College, the Burlington and Winooksi School Districts, the Partnership for Change, the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, RETN, VPR, Rice Memorial High School, Vermont Commons School, Rock Point School, the State Department of Libraries, the State Division of Historic Preservation and Burlington’s Community and Economic Development Office.
"My colleagues and I at the University of Vermont are excited that the Fletcher Free Library was selected to host this important exhibit," said Deborah Blom, chair of UVM's Department of Anthropology and member of the consultation panel that will advise the library on community engagement and programming development. "We look forward to helping widen the exhibition’s impact by contributing our expertise in anthropology to programming prior to and during the exhibit in partnership with a variety of community groups. Our goal is to promote a dialogue that celebrates differing perspectives and points of view. The exhibit will also provide invaluable learning opportunities for University of Vermont students in a broad range of disciplines."
Dr. Debra Leonard, professor and chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UVM’s College of Medicine, shared in support of the exhibition, “As a pathologist, my clinical practice focuses on the human genome and its influence on health and disease. I am excited personally that this exhibit is coming to the FFL because it will provide a window not only into human evolution, but also into the role genetics has played in our evolution. Medical students, graduate students, residents, and faculty from the UVM College of Medicine and UVM Medical Center will benefit from the opportunity to see this exhibit and participate in these discussions.”
Learn more about the exhibit on Fletcher Free Library's website.