From a 16th-century civics manual, to Ibram X. Kendi’s 2019 “How to Be an Antiracist,” people have used books to master a trade, take up a hobby, secure food, clothing and shelter, or learn to be a better person. In the earliest days of printing, “how-to” books and instruction manuals were best-sellers. “Self-help” books and the “… for Dummies” series continue to top sales charts. The longevity of “how-to” books speaks to our faith in the capacity of words to change how we work, play, survive and thrive in the world.  This exhibit draws on the breadth of Silver Special Collections to showcase the actionable power of print across the centuries.

Visit Silver Special Collections in Billings Library 201 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Fridays to view this exhibit beginning February 23 and ending May 30.