From the turbulent love story between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” to a steamy alien courtship in “Ice Planet Barbarians,” the new exhibition at Indiana University Libraries’ Lilly Library on the Bloomington campus celebrates romance in all forms. Curators at the library saw the value in romance and jumped at the chance to become the first major American special collections library to take the genre seriously.
“Love in the Library: The Romance Novel in English,” spotlights the importance of romance as a genre, which has, until now, received little attention from historians and institutional special collections despite remaining one of the most popular and highest grossing genres among readers. While celebrating the inclusive nature of the romance genre, the exhibition also aims to honor its significance as the only billion-dollar genre within the modern publishing marketplace.
Rebecca Baumann, head of curatorial services and curator of modern books at Lilly Library, said the reason romance has been largely overlooked by historians and collectors is due to its audience, which is primarily women; many institutional libraries are formed around collections built primarily by men. While other genres, like science fiction and detective fiction, have been taken seriously, romance has generally been dismissed as smutty and formulaic.
Lilly acquired the collection in 2021 from Rebecca Romney, an author, scholar and expert book historian who cofounded the book-selling firm Type Punch Matrix. History Channel viewers might recognize Romney from her appearances on “Pawn Stars,” where she offered her expertise on rare books.
Romney set out to honor and preserve the romance genre, collecting and researching 100 important works in the history of romance fiction from 1769 to 1999. She catalogued titles into genres and subgenres, including contemporary, career, historical, regency, romance wars, the rise of Harlequin, LGBTQ and more.
Curators at Lilly were drawn to the collection’s focus on books with diverse representations of love. “Love in the Library” brings attention to how romance fiction empowers readers and writers to tell stories of love in all forms.
“There are many forms of diversity in modern romance, not just in terms of sexual identity and race,” Baumann said. “‘Chef’s Kiss’ has a non-binary character, and ‘Chef’s Choice’ features two trans characters, which is rare. ‘The Kiss Quotient’ features a neurodivergent heroine with autism.
“This exhibition shows that love is for everybody. We can all find a romance novel that we see ourselves in, and that is important.”
Love in the Library
Open gallery
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Love in the Library
<picture class="lw_image"> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/1000/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="Museum exhibition specialist Jenny Mack repositions a Jane Austen novel as part of the IU Libraries' Love in the Library exhibition at th..." srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15076_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0106.rev.1725592154.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1601" data-optimized="true"/></picture>
Museum exhibition specialist Jenny Mack repositions a Jane Austen novel as part of the IU Libraries’ "Love in the Library" exhibition at the Lilly Library in Bloomington. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
Romance novels are reflected on a glass case at Lilly Library. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
Indiana University
<picture class="lw_image"> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/1000/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="The Lilly Library holds copies of the first 1,000 Harlequin paperback romance novels in its collection. Several are on display currently ..." srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15073_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0373.rev.1725592152.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1601" data-optimized="true"/></picture>
The Lilly Library holds copies of the first 1,000 Harlequin paperback romance novels in its collection. Several are on display currently as part of the "Love in the Library" exhibition. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
<picture class="lw_image"> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/1000/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="While celebrating the inclusive nature of the romance genre, Lilly Library's Love in the Library exhibition also aims to honor its s..." srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15075_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0378.rev.1725592153.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1601" data-optimized="true"/></picture>
While celebrating the inclusive nature of the romance genre, Lilly Library's "Love in the Library" exhibition also aims to honor its significance as the only billion-dollar genre within the modern publishing marketplace. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
<picture class="lw_image"> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/1000/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="“Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is pictured, along with the novel's first edition, published in three volumes in 1847. Photo b..." srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15077_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0157.rev.1725592154.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1601" data-optimized="true"/></picture>
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë is pictured, along with the novel's first edition, published in three volumes in 1847. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
<picture class="lw_image"> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/1000/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="A first edition of “Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, published in three volumes in 1847, is among a multitude of rare books in Lilly..." srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15078_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0163.rev.1725592155.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1601" data-optimized="true"/></picture>
A first edition of “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë, published in three volumes in 1847, is among a multitude of rare books in Lilly Library's holdings. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
<picture class="lw_image"> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/1000/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="“Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon is an originally self-published novel that rose to fame among fans of the romance genre. Photo..." srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15079_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0190.rev.1725592156.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1601" data-optimized="true"/></picture>
“Ice Planet Barbarians” by Ruby Dixon is an originally self-published novel that rose to fame among fans of the romance genre. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
<picture class="lw_image"> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/1000/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="A case containing a romance novel subgenre, romance wars, is pictured as part of the Love in the Library exhibition at Lilly Library. Pho..." srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15074_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0382.rev.1725592153.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1601" data-optimized="true"/></picture>
A case containing a romance novel subgenre, romance wars, is pictured as part of the "Love in the Library" exhibition at Lilly Library. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
Publishers Harlequin and Silhouette are synonymous with the romance genre. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
<picture class="lw_image"> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/500/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/500/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/800/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/2/width/800/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <source media="(min-width: 801px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/1000/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="Banned by Kmart stores when it was published in 1986, “A Love for All Time by Bertrice Small is included in historical romance subg..." srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/1000/15080_20240815_LoveintheLibrary_JB_0210.rev.1725592156.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1601" data-optimized="true"/></picture>
Banned by Kmart stores when it was published in 1986, “A Love for All Time” by Bertrice Small is included in historical romance subgenre of the collection. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University
Each case in “Love in the Library” has its own unique yet cohesive flare, thanks to the attention paid to small details by Jenny Mack, museum exhibition specialist, and David Orr, the library’s in-house graphic designer.
“We help develop the vibe of the exhibition,” Mack said.
Mack lined the cases in vivid pink, purple and blue hues of crushed velvet, and Orr created graphics using fonts and colors that emulate the book covers within the displays. Mack also created a rotating disc to showcase the book “Everlastin’” by Mickee Madden, which features a hologram on its cover. With each rotation of the disc, visitors can watch the man on the cover disappear and reappear like magic.
Iconic romance cover art is an attractive focal point of the exhibition, including an original painting by artist Elaine Duillo for the cover of “A Love for All Time,” written by Bertrice Small. Kmart refused to sell the novel when it was published in 1986 due to the risqué cover art.
There are many unique pieces, beyond books, for visitors to peruse, including Barbie and Ken dolls based on Jude Deveraux’s “The Raider” from Mattel’s short-lived Romance Novel Collection. Another case displays books and merchandise created by Princess Diana’s godmother, Dame Barbara Cartland, who was known as the “queen of romance.”
First editions of classic romance novels “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen and “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë are a draw for visitors, and a first edition of “The History of Emily Montague” by Frances Brooke, published in 1769, is the oldest title in the Romney collection.
On the more contemporary side, author Beverly Jenkins provided her own copy of the first hardcover edition of “Indigo,” her most popular book, for the collection. Jenkins, a recipient of the 2013 NAACP Image Award, is known for her contemporary and historical Black romance fiction.
“Beverly Jenkins is one of the first writers to find mainstream success in the white-dominated publishing industry with her stories celebrating Black love in historical settings,” Baumann said. “It is challenging to write romance with a happy ending while still acknowledging enslavement, oppression, and colonialism. Jenkins shows that, even in the worst of circumstances, people still fall in love.”
Curators say they will continue to add titles to the collection, including those from the 21st century. Romney will visit Lilly Library for a public event around the exhibition at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 23.
