Response from a Librarian/Respuesta de una Bibliotecaria

I received the Migratory Book after purchasing artwork of Michelle Wilson's. I looked up her profile and was instantly interested. Libraries are a dying architectural expression and social place. It is strange to see that books will evolve by becoming independent of the building and the place that connected us to them.

By participating in this exercise I came to think about the library check out card and how that connected us to the book, the building and to each other. I Googled it and found others had a romantic memories of it as well... Here is one...."The checkout card was simple and symbolic. To sign the card with my signature was, of course, on the most basic level a way for the library to have accountability; I had taken the book. However, signing one’s name to any document creates a relationship and a commitment.

By signing my name to a library book, I committed myself to some type of relationship with this author and material. Scanning a bar code does not have the same connection. Signing the checkout card could mean an intimate relationship–late nights, rereading passages, and anticipation. At other times, the commit was more platonic, and it could even border on benign neglect. However, the signature on that thin blue line and the rubber stamped date beside it was an inked contract with this book."

Now this blog is the virtual check out card that links us to one another, the author and the place, a place bigger than a building. My memories of the library are old, and sweet. I spent many hours there and checked out books for so many reasons. Assignments, studying, for pleasure and amusement. Sometimes I would just check out a book, because of who else had checked it out, I would always open the book to the back to see who held it last, who held it first. Was I the first that would sign on the thin blue line and have the red date stamped in first, was the spine still stiff will newness or were the pages dog eared. Did the boy I so desperately had a crush on hold it last, what did he love about the book, would that give me a hint into his heart. All silly things, but things that connect us to each person through a place and over time. I hope blogging about a book, will be this next evolution of the library check out card, to connect us.

Poetic Response from a Traveler/Respuesta Poetica de una Viajera

Compound Ceremonies (A Poem from Ethiopia)

(for Greg)

I saw your death in the hills,
One rose like the Martiniquaise Diamont.
Loomed above, struck like a monolith,
A headline for your obituary.

Today’s manuscripts were forged in 30 kg. of gold,
Etched in recurring forms,
No artist would admit to these letters.

My lover phoned, non-caffeinated.
I stared at panoramas pre-biblical in origin.
Few syllables seemed magnified by the tchat,
Lidded by this strange narcolepsy.

Now I’d walk, crank a lantern,
Don borrowed gloves,
Climb alongside crutches,
Ox horns poised to gore.
Slurp soup from a chicken I’d passed roadside
On the arm of a boy who had petted it
Like a kitten or a pigeon.

Milky blind eyes, unexpected limbs,
A polio survivor who wore four shoes to support his hands,
Frail old women who feverishly kiss the steps of St. Mary’s church,
Miracles in the film on their lips,
Every day a pilgrimage six hours ahead.

More nervous here than in Dire Dawa,
“City of Thieves,”
When solicited for crosses and camels,
I try to pronounce the Amharic for husband.
This sounds something like bahl.

I’ll leave clothes for baskets,
Buy necklaces in threes,
String instruments in blankets,
Celebrate thirty-three among Ethiopia eyes,
Smelling your funeral in incense and campfire.

Bonnie Macallister


If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please email me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Migratory Books at the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education/Libros Migratorios en el Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

The Migratory Books Project was selected by Zoe Cohen, Art Program Manager at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, for inclusion in the exhibition Nest and Branch. Read an interview with the curator here.

El Proyecto Libros Migratorios fue elegido por Zoe Cohen, la encargada de programas de arte en el Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, para inclucion en la exposición Nest and Branch. Lea un artículo con la curadora aquí.




The Migratory Books were also featured in two recent articles by Mary Tasillo, Bound and Lettered and the Journal of Artist Books. Both articles appear under the title Democratic Organization, and are based on Mary's talk at the 2008 Pyramid Atlantic Conference and Book Art Fair. Thanks Mary!

Los Libros Migratorios también fueron ofrecidos en dos articulos de Mary Tasillo, Bound and Lettered y Journal of Artist Books. Los dos aparecen bajo el nombre Democratic Organization, y venido del discurso de Mary en la 2008 Pyramid Atlantic Conference and Book Art Fair. Muchisimas gracias, Mary!


If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please email me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Canadian Connections/Conexión de Canada

The migratory book you send me has left me and I'm finally responding to your question. The book has now traveled from Ontario to one of the western provices of Canada...Alberta. It's in good hands! Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this project and for your patience in waiting to hear from me.

what connects us?

a need to see ourselves
reflected in each
other

as a way to measure
distance on this
journey....

for comfort
and
acknowledgement

and a need to be one....

Photos from Ethiopia/Fotos de Ethiopia

If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please email me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Migratory Books in Ethiopia/Libros Migratorios en Ethiopia

Thanks to Bonnie Macallister, who will be carrying Migratory Books with her this July. Bonnie is a recipient of a Fulbright-Hays Grant for Ethiopia. After this summer, the Migratory Books will have visited every contienent except Antartica. Bonnie tells me that electricity and internet access are a bit sketchy, but any and all responses are always welcome!

Muchisimas gracias a Bonnie Macallister, quién llevará los libros migratorios con su este julio. Bonnie es un recipiente de un Fulbright-Hays Grant, para Ethiopia. Después de este verano, los libros migratorios habrán visitado cada contienent excepto Antartica. Electricidad y acceso del red es difícil, pero, todas las respuestas son agradables.

If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please email me at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.

Local Philadelphia Response

what connects us? pain and desire

where am i? philadelphia

where is the book going? i'm going to mail it to my doctor/artist friend in texas first thing tomorrow morning.

¿qué nos conecta? ? El dolor y el deseo

¿dónde estoy? Filadelfia

¿adónde este libro va? voy a enviarlo a mi doctor/artista amigo en texas en la mañana.

Response from Rebecca Gilbert/Respuesta de Rebecca Gilbert.

Muchismas gracias!

If anyone is interested in participating in the Migratory Books Project, please drop me an email at rocinantepress (at) gmail (dot) com. Recipients of the Migratory Books, please either email me your responses or post them under the "Comments" button.

Si usted está interesado en participar en el Proyecto Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email a la dirección electronia rocinantepress (a) gmail (punto) com. Recipientes de los Libros Migratorios, por favor mandeme un email o usa el botón de "Comments," por sus respuestas.