UNCG Libraries Host Exhibit and Collector Talk – A Gentleman’s Library: The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

Greensboro attorney Norman B. Smith is interested in the great ideas of the world. An avid reader and book collector, he has built a personal library representing those ideas over a collecting career of more than four decades.

From October 6 until November 12, the University Libraries at UNCG are pleased to host an exhibit “A Gentleman’s Library: The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith,” in the Martha Blakeney Hodges Reading Room on the second floor of Jackson Library on the UNCG campus. The approximately thirty books in the exhibit range from the 15th century through the 20th century, and include a variety of authors and disciplines. The earliest book being displayed is a manuscript copy of a Book of Hours from the mid 15th century, but there are books from each century after that. Book collectors and readers are invited to view the exhibit between 9 and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

On Tuesday, October 19 at 4 p.m., Smith will talk about his collection and discuss how and why it was built. The event, sponsored by the Friends of the UNCG Libraries, is free and open to the public, as is the exhibit. A reception will follow Smith’s talk.

Dr. William K. Finley, Head of the Special Collections and University Archives Department, describes Smith as “the rare collector who is not only interested in books, but one who has read much of his collection. Norman is a collector who has studied the great thinkers of many eras, and has amassed a collection representing their thoughts as published over the past 5+ centuries. We are honored that he is permitting us to display a few of them.”

For more information, contact the Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives at 336-334-5246.