Students and teachers have expressed concern regarding the large vinyl quotes displayed in the Blackmore Library after the $1.3 million renovation in 2012. The six quotes that hang in the main lobby share one thing in common: they are all quotes from men.
“I thought it was kind of weird, but I guess I didn’t pay it much attention,” said Ian McKinstry, junior.
“At least they are not all white men,” said McKinstry, referring to the Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi quotes.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Emily Gerkin, senior, who works behind the library’s front desk. “The library staff didn’t have any input.”
So, how exactly were the quotes selected?
“The quotes were solicited, collected, and recommended by members of the library staff and representatives of the Dean’s Council,” said Richard Ashbrook, vice president for Academic and Student Affairs.
English Professor Susan Nash attended the renovation party of Blackmore Library.
“At the opening, when I asked various administrators why there were no quotes by women, they said, ‘Oh, I never thought of that,’” said Nash. “As men, they didn’t even think to include women in the inspirational quote list.”
According to Ashbrook, all quotes in the library were designed to be flexible.
“The quotes [were] printed on vinyl, rather than actually painted on the wall. As a result, the hope was that these quotes might change annually,” Ashbrook said. “Yet, only the initial quotes have remained in place-likely because the renovation [is] so new.”
