An exhibition and program series sponsored by Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University.
September 14-December 31, 2017
Twenty years after the publication of the first Harry Potter book, Booth Library presents an exhibit and program series, Twenty Years of Harry Potter: Celebrating a Phenomenon. This exhibit will be on display at the library from Sept. 14 through Dec. 31, 2017.
Author J.K. Rowling published Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (known in the U.S. as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) on June 26, 1997, in Britain. The book was soon a worldwide hit, and the legacy of Rowling’s world of magic had begun. Since then, Rowling’s seven original books in the Harry Potter series have sold more than 450 million copies and have been translated into more than 60 languages. Those books were adapted into eight films that have made more than $2 billion.
Rowling’s world of Potter still continues, with a London stage play of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a spinoff of the film series produced and written by Rowling herself, based on her 2001 book. The Harry Potter stories have inspired a line of action figures, costumes, candy, Legos, clothing lines, wands, robes and other memorabilia. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park opened at the Universal Orlando Resort in 2010. Rowling continues to share musings and stories related to her magical world on her Pottermore website.
Booth Library's exhibit takes a look at the popularity and influence of the Harry Potter world in today’s society. The exhibit is accessible to the public any time the library is open. The library's regular hours are 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-1 a.m. Sunday.
Suggested Readings
Harry Potter: Interpretation and Exploration
Go beyond the Harry Potter books to find other books by J. K. Rowling. Or, explore critical literary theory through the Harry Potter books. Like the movies? We have cinematic analysis as well.
