Reversing Vandalism Collection, 2003-2005
Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Reversing Vandalism Collection
- Dates:
- 2003-2005
- Creators:
- San Francisco Public Library.
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 2 cubic feet (in 2 boxes)
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Reversing Vandalism Collection. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection includes organizational files, correspondence, programs, clippings, flyers and press coverage that document the Reversing Vandalism project and exhibition. There is information on submissions, the exhibition layout, titles of the artwork, and sales. There are 12 vandalized books and a few examples of artwork from George Mason University students who created handmade books, and audiovisual works based materials they received. The catalog "Insight Out" from the Center of Contemporary Arts (Santa Fe, NM) exhibition and the television program "Not In Out Town" Northern California feature the project and its response to a hate crime.
- Biographical / historical:
-
In early 2001, San Francisco Public Library staff began finding vandalized books shoved under shelves, hidden throughout the Main Library. Ultimately over 600 torn and sliced books, on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender topics, women’s issues and HIV/AIDS, were deemed beyond repair and withdrawn from the Library’s collection. Rather than discard the damaged books, the Library distributed them to interested community members in the hope of creating art. The wide variety of artistic responses to this hate crime resulted in “Reversing Vandalism,” an exhibition of over 200 original works of art, displayed in the Main Library from January 31 through May 2, 2004.
- Acquisition information:
- Transferred from the Library's Exhibitions and Programs Department, 2005.
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 2003-2005
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
- Preferred citation:
-
Reversing Vandalism Collection. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567