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January 2012

Permanent Exhbits

Cincinnati Panorama of 1848

Charles Fontayne and William S. Porter’ Cincinnati Panorama of 1848, the oldest wide view photograph of an American city, returns to permanent display after more than half a century out of the public eye. Located in the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room, this award-winning masterpiece is revered worldwide as one of the finest examples of daguerreian photography. Displayed in its original mat and mid 19th century frame, it is protected from deterioration with an interior housing of argon gas and filtered lights. Two interactive displays, one adjacent to the original and a second in the Main Library’s Atrium, allow the viewer to experience Cincinnati’s bustling riverfront through high definition images on touch screens. Navigate and zoom in for a glimpse of life along the riverfront in 1848. Points of Interest in the digital displays provide further exploration through portraits, newspapers, advertisements, documents, and maps from the time period.

Amelia Valerio Weinberg Memorial Fountain

The Amelia Valerio Weinberg Memorial Fountain is located on the Vine Street Plaza in front of the Main Library. Conceived and executed by former Cincinnati sculptor Michael Frasca, this ornamental fountain was made possible by a bequest from Mrs. Weinberg and was dedicated in 1990. Affectionately known as the “book fountain,” the sculpture features water cascading over a stack of ceramic tile books, representing the free flow of information and ideas through the printed word. The fountain is a popular spot for school groups and tourists.

Historic Stained Glass Windows

Three beautiful and intricate stained glass windows that graced one of the reading rooms in the original (1874) Main Library building have been restored to their original glory and are on permanent display. Learn more…

Louise Nevelson Sculpture

The 8th & Walnut Street entrance to the Main Library is flanked by “Sky Landscape II,” a major public sculpture by world-renowned artist Louise Nevelson (1899–1988). The 3,800-pound, 20-foot tall painted steel sculpture was relocated to the library on January 8, 1993. It had been given to the City of Cincinnati by Federated Department Stores (now known as Macy’s), who had commissioned the piece in 1980 for the entrance to their 7 West Seventh Street headquarters.

Honoring Our Veterans

The Veterans’ Memorial display case, located in the Atrium of the Main Library, recognizes the sacrifice and contribution of local veterans and showcases our collection of veterans’ memorabilia.

Temporary Exhibits

A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs

Using images from Broadway musicals, classic films, and personal collections, “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910-1965” tells the story of Jewish artists who created songs of wit, sophistication, and optimism through America’s ups and downs during the 20th century.

The sky was the limit for talented young people with big imaginations—young people such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, and George Gershwin. Their witty and romantic songs—“Body and Soul,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Thou Swell,” “That Old Black Magic,” “It Had to Be You“—became beloved classics that remain enduring elements of American popular culture.

This tribute to the many Jewish composers of the American songbook will be on display at the Main Library from January 13–February 23. The Library is also sponsoring a a number of free programs for the public in connection with the exhibit. See the program calendar for details.

“A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910-1965” was developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, and an anonymous donor, with additional support from Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life.

Beautiful Costume Books From The Library’s Collection

Discover beautiful colored plates selected from our collection of 19th and 20th century costume books. From 17th century French theater costumes and traditional Mexican clothing, to photos of historical Russian costumes worn by the imperial family in St. Petersburg a few years only before the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, these images are not only works of art but they also represent a limitless source of information for the history of gender, body, ideology, and material culture. You’ll find this exhibit in the 2nd and 3rd floor display cases, next to the south building elevators. It will be on view until mid-November.

“1937 Flood: River Still Rising” Exhibit

This moving exhibit, on view in the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room from January 14-April 26, uses historical records, newspapers, letters, diaries, maps and photograph to vividly document the local impact of one of the twentieth century’s great disasters .