Browne Popular Culture Library contributes to major romance novel exhibit

The Browne Popular Culture Library has loaned over 50 items to McDaniel College's "Romancing the Novel" exhibit, which runs from Jan. 6 through March 7, 2025, at the Esther Prangley Rice Gallery in Westminster, Maryland.

Curated by McDaniel Associate Professor of Communication and Cinema Robert Lemieux, the exhibition explores romance novels and their cultural impact through original cover art, manuscripts, publicity materials, genre history and fan artwork. The comprehensive showcase features materials from McDaniel's Nora Roberts American Romance Collection, BGSU's Browne Popular Culture Library, Yale University Art Gallery, and Harlequin Enterprises.

BGSU's contributions include four original Frank Kalan oil paintings with preparatory materials (Frank Kalan Romance Cover Art Collection), first-edition Harlequin novels, and 1950s-60s romance comics. Notably, the romance comic "Secret Hearts" no. 88 is displayed alongside Roy Lichtenstein's "Crying Girl" on loan from Yale University Art Gallery, suggesting its influence on the renowned artist's work.

The exhibit also features romance-related pulp magazines spanning various sub-genres, fanzines, promotional items (Romance Publicity Collection), and works representing diverse communities, including international romance novels, manga, and titles by Black and LGBTQ+ authors.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a "Romancing the Novel" speaker series is taking place throughout February in collaboration with Carroll County Public Library. BGSU professor Nicole Jackson, co-host of the "Black Romance Has A History" podcast, will present "Love in Liberty: Black Historical Romances and the Joy of Freedom" on Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. in McDaniel Hall.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

For more information about the romance holdings at the Browne Popular Culture Library, see the library's LibGuide on Romance Literature and Media.