This spring, University Libraries Archives and Special Collections unveiled a new exhibit celebrating the literary work of J.R.R. Tolkien. Best know for his fantasy novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien was a linguist and showed an aptitude for language at a young age. He became proficient in Latin, Greek, and some Finnish, eventually creating his own languages. The exhibit showcases material from the Deborah and Fritz Dolak J.R.R. Tolkien Collection, which was donated to University Libraries Archives and Special Collections in 2013.
In addition, there are items from the Ball State University Map Collection that highlight Ball State University students’ creativity and enthusiasm for Middle-earth and the world that J.R.R. Tolkien created. Brendo Carvalho, a visiting cartographer from Brazil, and Rachel Cohn, Assistant Professor and Foundations Coordinator in the School of Art, developed a fantasy map project in the spring of 2023 that is featured in the exhibit.
Fritz Dolak was the Copyright and Digital Resources Librarian from 1998 to 2004 and served as Copyright and Intellectual Property Manager from 2004 until his retirement in 2017. He studied music at the Cleveland Institute of Music, served in the United Sates Air Force, and continued his study of music at Ball State University, earning a Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees. In 1985, Dolak earned a Master of Library Science from Ball State University.
Deborah A. Perry Dolak is active in music and a gifted flutist. She enrolled in the School of Music at Ball State University. She was active in local music by providing lessons and participating in community orchestras. A lover of dogs, she founded Over the Rainbow Dogs, a company dedicated to training service canines.
The exhibit is located on the 2nd floor west of Bracken Library. It will run through December 2024.