There are currently 270,686 items in the main book stacks area of Murray Library. This university building is filled with tangible evidence of numerous individuals’ dedication over the last century. The question is, why is there no record of these people who have devoted large parts of their lives to place Murray Library “at the heart of the educational enterprise” (Murray Library Vision Statement). This lack of known information is what prompted my visual exploration and memorial. I wanted to create something to honor those who have made it possible to have such extensive library collections. Through archival research and talking to staff, I generated a list of employees (currently at 93 people). This list is visualized through the paper due date cards which are similar to those found in the back of all of the collection items. There is one card per employee. The cards are attached to 270,686 inches of bookbinding thread to represent the number of physical items in the collection. This type of thread holds together the core of a book. Similarly, over the years Murray Library has connected the campus community.
