Mechanics’ Institute is proud of our writers’ programs and offerings. As the members in our writers’ groups workshop their latest piece with colleagues and collaborate in our other programs related to the craft of writing (find the events here), we already have had quite a few talented members at the Mechanics’ Institute Library who are published authors and poets. Some more familiar members include Jack London, Daniel Handler, Gertrude Atherton, and our former chess director and current trustee John Donaldson.
We are proud to showcase our members’ books on our shelves and in our collection and now have a “Featured Collection” display on the 2nd fl. that presents published materials from our members on a rotating basis. There are so many books and writings from our members that cover a range of topics and subject areas that it would be difficult for us to display them all at once so we’ve found another way to easily highlight these materials while browsing through the rows of books. How do you spot a member’s work in the stacks? We’ve labeled the books with a purple “Mechanics’ Institute Member Work” sticker on the spine. You can also search for a member author by typing in “Mechanics' Institute members work” or "members work" in the search field in our catalog, or for a complete list click here.