The University of Minnesota Libraries celebrated the anniversary of Dr. Irvin Kerlan’s 100th birthday on Sept. 18, 2012, by hosting a reception and welcoming friends to tour the Kerlan Collection of children’s books in the Andersen Library.

Kerlan started collecting children’s books in 1945, as well as related manuscripts and artwork. Kerlan started donating his collection to the University of Minnesota in 1949. The balance of the collection came in in 1963, following a tragic auto accident that claimed Dr. Kerlan’s life.

At the Sept. 18 celebration, noted Minnesota children’s book author/illustrator Nancy Carlson spoke, as did Jean Stevenson, assistant professor and elementary education program director at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Carlson is a Kerlan Award winner.

Also attending was Lisa Von Drasek, the new Kerlan Collection curator, who begins her duties on Nov. 1.

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