Tiny books fit well into the hands of small children, they are easy to carry in your pocket (or even around your neck!), and they feel special by virtue of their size. Depending on who you ask, not everyone agrees on which books qualify as “miniature.” While many serious collectors maintain a strict 7.6 cm height rule, we (and the Library of Congress) consider all books 10 cm in height or less to be miniature books. 

The books in this exhibit date from the 17th to the 21st century and measure between 1.8 and 10 cm tall. Ranging from religious manuscripts to cookbooks, children’s books, and Shakespeare, the variety of tiny books on display begs you to take a closer look and wonder why and how they came to be. 

Curated by Kaitlin Buerge ‘13

Exhibition design and support by Rebekah Irwin with photography by Kaitlin Buerge ‘13 and Paul Dahm

Tiny book hand models: Huthefa Abdullahi Maalim ‘24.5, Bailey Sneed ‘22.5, Abdulrahman (Abed) Abbas ‘24, Katie van der Merwe ‘22, and Kaitlin Buerge ‘13.

View the exhibit in the Davis Family Library on the Main Level, on the Lower Level in the Periodical Reading Area, and in the entry of Special Collections, Fall 2021-Spring 2022.