Nicholas Basbanes, acclaimed author of books and articles about the world of rare books, their owners, and their readers, will speak at the Lilly Library on April 22, at 5:30 p.m.   

Well known for writing about books and bibliophiles, Nicholas Basbanes has worked as an award-winning investigative reporter, a literary editor, and a nationally syndicated columnist.

Now in its eighth edition with more than 80,000 copies in print, his first book, A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in nonfiction for 1995, and was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.  Of his second book, Patience & Fortitude, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and historian David McCullough wrote that "Nicholas Basbanes has become our leading authority of books about books and this, his latest, is a jewel."  In his most recent book, A Splendor of Letters, Basbanes examines a number of issues related to books in contemporary society, from their continued creation to their sometimes willful destruction.

Mr. Basbanes will speak on "The Permanence of Books in an Impermanent World."  His lecture will be followed by a book signing and reception.

Date:  April 22, 2004

Time:  5:30 p.m.

Place:  Lincoln Room, Lilly Library

1200 E. 7th Street

Indiana University

Bloomington, Indiana

Mr. Basbanes's lecture inaugurates the Kaser Lecture series, sponsored by the Indiana University School of Library and Information Science. The Kaser Lecture series is named in honor of David Kaser, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, who studied, wrote, and taught extensively in the areas of library history, library buildings, and printing; Professor Kaser retired in 1991 after 18 years at SLIS.

For more information, please call the Indiana University School of Library and Information Science at (812) 855-2018.