Núcleo Museológico "O Lyceu" exhibits “The Evolution of the Book”

The Evolution of Books is the topic of the exhibition that the Núcleo Museológico “O Lyceu”, in partnership with the Madeira Regional Library and the library at Escola Secundária Jaime Moniz, will present between October 16th and November 16th, at Largo do Museu . This is a temporary exhibition, which aims to summarize the evolution of writing records and books, from ancient times to the present day.

Over the centuries, we have witnessed the development of different writing and reading media, from clay and wooden plates, to papyrus or parchment sheets, to paper, culminating in the digital book. The inks, letters, binding, page design, as well as the format of the book, underwent profound transformations. We moved from manuscript to printed and virtual.

For this exhibition, ESJM borrowed eight informative posters from the Madeira Regional Library, which were complemented with illustrations from the “O Lyceu” and several pieces provided by our school's Library, namely, papyrus sheets and the works of past centuries. Of note is the Chronicle of Dom João I, by Fernão Lopes, in a limited commemorative edition and facsimile of a medieval codex existing in the National Library of Madrid, or the Etymological Dictionary of the Latin Language, from the 17th century. Also on display are some books from the 18th century, such as A Arte Poetica by Q. Horacio de Flacco, and other works from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, also from the Jaime Moniz Library, which includes some school books from high school from the time of Estado Novo. On loan from individuals, this exhibit includes a deluxe edition of As Pupilas do Senhor Retor and two small books of a religious nature from the 19th century, with leather bindings, as well as one of the digital book reading supports.

As part of this exhibition, there will be a tour around the exhibition and the school's library, which will end with a demonstration on how to use an “e-reader”.