A Journey Through Time: Exploring Libraries’ Instruments History

From the astrolabes and quadrants gracing medieval library collections alongside explanatory treatises, to the “mathematical instruments” envisioned in Renaissance theories, the integration of objects into library holdings has a long and fascinating history. The emergence of “cabinets of curiosities” between the 16th and 18th centuries further expanded this practice, with libraries acquiring an astonishing array of maps, portraits, coins, medals, natural specimens, models, and exotic artifacts.

These objects were not merely decorative; they served vital epistemological functions. Stored in close proximity to books, or in adjoining rooms, instruments acted as three-dimensional representations of knowledge, offering hands-on engagement. They were instrumental in understanding scientific texts, serving as illustrative examples and powerful mnemonic tools. This intimate interaction between instruments and books was a defining characteristic of library management, both private and public, from the 17th century onwards.

Bridging Disciplines: What to Expect

“Beyond Books: Instruments and Knowledge in Libraries” will adopt a deliberately multidisciplinary and diachronic approach. Scholars from various fields are invited to explore the acquisition, status, and use of instruments in libraries across different time periods, geographical areas, and knowledge cultures.

Possible topics for discussion and presentation include, but are not limited to:

• Conceptualizing “Scientific Instruments” in Libraries: Defining and understanding what constituted a “scientific instrument” within historical library contexts.
• Cabinets of Curiosities and Libraries: Exploring the symbiotic relationship and overlaps between these two historical entities.
• User-Oriented Perspectives: Examining how users interacted with and utilized instruments within library settings.
• Scientific Practices in Libraries: Delving into the actual scientific work conducted within library walls or in science-focused libraries.
• Paper and Parchment Instruments: Investigating the unique category of instruments crafted from these materials.
• Biography of Instruments: Tracing the journey of instruments before, during, and after their inclusion in library collections.
• Cataloguing and Regulations: Analyzing how instruments were documented in library catalogues and governed by library rules.
• Collection Management and Conservation: Discussing historical furniture, storage procedures, and contemporary conservation challenges and strategies.
• Curatorial Strategies and Careers: Exploring the roles and practices of those responsible for managing these unique collections.

This conference promises to be an enriching experience for historians of science, librarians, museum professionals, and anyone interested in the material culture of knowledge. It is an opportunity to uncover the profound ways in which libraries have, for centuries, extended “beyond books” to encompass a vast universe of instruments and knowledge.

Important Information:

• Conference Dates: January 14-15, 2026
• Venue: Musée d’histoire des sciences, Geneva
• Organizers: [If you have organizer names/institutions, insert them here. Otherwise, you can omit or state “Organized by leading institutions in the history of science and libraries.”]
• Call for Papers/Abstracts:Proposals of 300 words max. — in French or English — should be sent to Rossella Baldi and Samuel Gessner. The deadline for submissions is 15th June 2025.

Comité scientifique

• Rossella Baldi
• Jérôme Baudry
• Samuel Gessner
• Laurence-Isaline Stahl-Gretsch

Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating conference!