Building STEAM: Collaborative Outreach and Engagement with Art and Science in the Academic Library

Abstract

Art and science are often thought of as separate and unrelated disciplines. However, art has frequently been influenced by scientific discoveries while science has used artistic techniques to expand knowledge. This presentation will discuss how an art librarian and a science librarian successfully collaborated with the Biology department, the Art History department, the Microscopy Lab, the Museum of Natural History, Special Collections, and a local book artist to overturn these common stereotypes and break disciplinary barriers by creating a series of lectures and library exhibits. Branded as Building STEAM, the events explored ways art and science are inherently interconnected, both at the university and across society at large.

This presentation will focus on three main topics: ways that art and science intersect, the lecture and exhibition series, and the successes and struggles of collaborating with multiple stakeholders. The first two will provide attendees with ideas for how STEAM initiatives can be implemented in their own libraries, while the third will prepare attendees to manage large collaborations across university departments.