
Follow Link Below to Register
The DVC is partnering with the Science History Institute to highlight and invite interpretation of some of their library and archival materials. We have chosen to draw upon their excellent collection of sample books for inspiration. For this project, each participant will create a book that expands on the sample book structure, the type of samples included, and how they are arranged and displayed. Submissions that include a scientific aspect by interpreting existing collections from the Science History Institute Library will be considered for a juried exhibition to be held at the Institute September 2025. We will have a non-juried exhibition on the DVC website showing all submissions.
Sample books have been around since the 18th century and are still used today. Within the history of science, such works served multiple functions. They could showcase examples of products for sale such as fabric, paper, pigments and varnishes. Sample books could also be handwritten notebooks that record recipes and formulations with corresponding samples pasted in. There are also published instructional books that include attached samples. When opening a sample book, one is often dazzled by the many colors and/or patterns arranged on the pages.
The Science History Institute has a large collection of sample books. The DVC will organize a visit to the Othmer Library of Chemical History at Science History Institute to view a selection of sample books. If members can’t attend, they can see digitized sample books on their website.
Timetable:
-Members visit the Othmer Library of Chemical History at the Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. March 5, 2025, at noon. To reserve a spot please rsvp: delawarevalleyexhibitions@guildofbookworkers.org
– Completed work due: July 25, 2025
– Exhibition opens: September 2025
– Exhibition closes: February 2026
Project Instructions:
Sharon Hildebrand
shildebrand@librarycompany.org
Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(Hours – Mon-Fri, 9-4:45)
delawarevalleyexhibitions@guildofbookworkers.org
Requirements:
You must be a member of the Delaware Valley Chapter for the duration of the project.
Upcoming Workshop
Exotic and Fun Storage Workshop with Rosae Reeder

Saturday, March 8, 2025
10am to 4pm
Library Company of Philadelphia
$100 for current DVC-GBW members
$125 for non-members
Registration is limited to 15 persons. Reserve your spot HERE>>>>>>>>>>
Materials list will be emailed after registration is received.
Combine form and function while creating these unique artist books! In this workshop, you will create storage books from decorative paper. Learn how to fold a multitude of single-page elements that hide, tuck in, fold out, and can be used individually as well as combined to make one storage book. You make the decision as to which unique folds will end up in your final book. Single-sheet folded books are not only beautiful and tactile works of art, but they offer an immersive and creative way to explore your personal skills and aesthetic. Join us for a fun afternoon of book making!
Rosae M. Reeder (she/her) is a Book Artist / Printmaker who lives, works and teaches in Philadelphia. Rosae holds an MFA from the Book Arts/Printmaking program at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a BFA in Printmaking from The State University of New York at Buffalo. She has taught Book Arts and Letterpress at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the University of the Arts, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and other institutions around the country. She has also taught numerous workshops for the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers. Her work combines various alternative photographic processes, digital collage, traditional printmaking media such as letterpress, lithography and monotype, along with book structures.
The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers is seeking submissions for Material World, an exploration of materiality of the book form. The challenge is to use non-traditional mediums and structures. Books, as most people know them, are made of a pretty short list of materials: paper, leather, parchment, silk thread, linen thread, and board. Think outside the book! Have you been collecting something with the plan to make something? Now is your time to use it.
While this project is a challenge to use a variety of different materials, we must be respectful of the host institution. No food, mold, or live books. If you are unsure feel free to send us an email. The Exhibition will be on display on the first floor at the Van Pelt Library of the University of Pennsylvania.
The final product should be a book of sorts. The only limitation is size
Size limitations: The max footprint for your book’s display should be no larger than 25”x 15” x 5”.
Shipped books MUST fit in a USPS flat rate box.
Important Dates
March 29, 2024 – Intent to Participate
June 21, 2024 – Books and Label Info Due
August 27th – Install
September 4th – Opens
December 9, 2024 – Closes
December 10, 202 – Deinstall
TBD – Visit to Materials Library at the Fisher Fine Arts Library for Inspiration
https://www.library.upenn.edu/finearts/materials-library
TBD – Reception/Artist Talk
Reminders will only be sent if you e-mail us with the intent to participate.
Please direct all communication to the delawarevalley@guildofbookworkers.org
More info
Info about Flat Rate Boxes
If you are not dropping off and picking up your book, your book MUST fit in a USPS flat rate box.
Boxes come in small, medium, large and a bunch of other sizes.
For more info
https://store.usps.com/store/results/shipping-supplies-flat-rate/_/N-1bzu2g5
Images of some of the gallery space. Kristin for scale. Wall behind the cases will change to reflect the exhibition.





The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers announces its 2023 collaborative project and exhibition, “Whisper to Me: a conversation through time”
In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American to publish a book of poetry making this year the 250th Anniversary of the publication. In celebration of the anniversary, the DVCGBW has commissioned the 2022-23 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate, Telicia Darius to write a poem in response. Members of the DVCGBW are invited to create new work to celebrate these two poets. These works will be exhibited at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania in November 2023.
Phillis Wheatley, born circa 1753, was brought to North America aboard the Phillis when she was around 7-8 years old. She was sold to the Wheatley family, who taught her to read and write. Phillis was emancipated shortly after the publication of her book. She married John Peters and died in 1784 at about the age of 31. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/phillis-wheatley
Seventeen-year-old Telicia Darius is a high school senior at Hardy Williams Mastery Charter School in southwest Philadelphia. She will be attending Stanford University in the fall. Philadelphia Tribune article about her appointment of Youth Poet Laureate: https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/free-library-of-philadelphia-names-2022-23-youth-poet-laureate/article_54837a7c-416c-5cb7-9830-fce665783a60.html
Requirements:
Notes:
Time Line:
Please share this prospectus widely.

Chang_fishleather_flyer
The class is $95 for current DVCGBW members $115 for non-members. Registration required: https://gbw.formstack.com/forms/dv_fish_tanning_with_janey_chang After registration you will receive a pdf for materials preparation and tools required. An email with the class zoom link will be sent the day before the workshop.
The Bibliophile as Bookbinder: The Angling Binding of S.A. Neff, Jr.
On exhibit August 26 -December 20, 2019
Goldstein Family Gallery, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, Sixth floor
3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
This exhibition explores one man’s passion for the natural world and the world of books. Over five decades ago Mr. Neff began a serious pursuit both of trout and books on the art of angling.
Bound to Conserve: The Art of Angling and the Future of Rivers
Saturday, September 14, 1-7 PM
This symposium, in conjunction with the exhibition, The Bibliophile as Bookbinder: The Angling Bindings of S. A. Neff, Jr., will explore conservation on rivers, bookselling, collecting, and binding, all with a focus on their impact on and relationship with angling.
For more information http://www.library.upenn.edu/about/exhibits-events/neff

