February Member Highlights: Bossard Memorial Library

Each month, our Member Highlights features the outstanding work and initiatives of OhioNet member libraries across the state.

Bossard Memorial Library Hosts BODY WORLDS: Animal Inside Out Exhibition

The Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library of Gallia County recently hosted Gunther von Hagens’ world-renowned BODY WORLDS: Animal Inside Out exhibition, offering visitors the rare opportunity to view animals from a unique perspective. The exhibition featured skeletons, muscles, organs, and circulatory systems, including whole-body plastinates, of some of the world’s most spectacular creatures, all preserved through the process of plastination.

Given the general interest in animals and animal anatomy, the library decided BODY WORLDS: Animal Inside Out would be an engaging and educational exhibition for the public. Hosting exhibitions of this size and caliber presents challenges, as the library must adapt its facility to accommodate the display, including relocating certain areas of the collection. Additionally, many regular programs are held offsite during the exhibition’s run, as the meeting room areas are repurposed for exhibit space. However, the rewards far outweigh these challenges.

Located in rural southeastern Ohio, Bossard Memorial Library aims to provide unique cultural experiences to visitors. During the exhibition’s 14-week run in Gallipolis, the library recorded 10,520 visits, with visitors traveling as far as nine hours one way to experience the display. The library also hosted numerous school field trips during the exhibition. For many, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was a great educational experience.

Library Director Debbie Saunders notes, “BODY WORLDS: Animal Inside Out is the fourth major exhibition Bossard Memorial Library has hosted. Previous exhibits include the human anatomy display Bodies Revealed in 2016, Space: A Journey to Our Future in 2019, and Savage Ancient Seas in 2022. With each exhibit, the library receives feedback about the significant impact the experience has had on visitors, especially students.”

Submitted by Debbie Saunders, Library Director at the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library

Additional Member Updates –

• A warm welcome to our new member: Reed Memorial Library!
• Call for Papers: Advocating for Library Technical Services — The Northern Ohio Technical Services Librarians (NOTSL) invite submissions for their Spring 2025 General Meeting, focused on advocacy and assessment for Technical Services. Library staff, researchers, and supervisors are encouraged to share innovative practices that elevate the visibility and impact of Technical Services. The conference will be held in person at Cuyahoga Community College on May 9, 2025. Proposals are due by February 28, 2025 — submit here. 
• Save the date! Building on the success of AI Alchemy, we’re excited to host our next in-person summit—this time focused on makerspaces. Join us on June 18 for hands-on activities, panel discussions, and presentations from makerspace experts. Stay tuned for details and event registration!

We love hearing from our members! Share news or highlight a recent project from your library in OhioNet’s monthly member highlights email – contact communications manager Jillian Tuttle at [email protected] for more information.