That is what I think might be the title page from Thomas William Ludlow Ashley's Skull and Bones yearbook of 1948 (follow this link if you'd like to see the whole yearbook). If you don't know, Skull and Bones is a secret society at Yale - "Conspiracy theories about the Skull & Bones Society are almost as old as the society itself," Time magazine has reported. "The group has been blamed for everything from the creation of the nuclear bomb to the Kennedy assassination." Members have included many presidents of the United States, and other people in positions of power. People (myself included, but to a lesser extent than many others) are fascinated by this secret society.
This seems to be to be one of those things one might stumble upon while shelving or fulfilling a reference query for a patron. It's cool and unexpected - and knowing that libraries have (and keep/preserve) things like this - with no immediate value - makes me love the concept and reality of libraries even more.
What have you seen in your libraries that has surprised you? I am really curious to hear about the "hidden gems" you've found at your local library!
I love being a librarian, too. Hmmm, so many but I'd say the hidden gems are the patrons. I miss them almost as much as I miss the books.
ReplyDeleteDiana, I didn't know you are a librarian! Cool! I suppose I thought you raised mythical beasts for a living... oh, well.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite patrons (and students from when I was a teacher) were the ones that go "OH THAT'S COOL" to something they are looking at. We get some of those at the Carter, and I do that sometimes as well. It's great when you really hit a home run for a patron - and really, that's what we are there for - the patrons!
Thanks for dropping by and commenting!!