The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library's Women on the Move catalogue, created for the 2024 exhibition, has won in three categories in the Association of College and Research Libraries' 2026 Leab Awards.

The awards, formally known as the Katharine Kyes Leab and Daniel J. Leab American Book Prices Current Exhibition Catalog Awards, are administered by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). 

They recognize excellence in the production of catalogs and brochures that accompany exhibitions of library and archival materials, as well as for electronic exhibitions. 

The Women on the Move catalogue won in three categories: 

Best in Show Print Catalog Category

Innovation in Audience Engagement Print Catalog Category

Innovation in Production Print Catalog Category

The Women on the Move exhibition was curated by Ksenya Kiebuzinski, Slavic Resources Coordinator and head of the Petro Jacyk Central and East European Resource Centre, David Fernández, Head of the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, and Liz Ridolfo, Special Collections Projects librarian. 

It showcased books and materials related to women's travel writing and was a project years in the making that delved deep into the Fisher Library's collections, spanning centuries, cultures, materials and voices. 

The winning catalogue features a unique and strikingly interactive design, with accordion-style folded excerpts that open wide to display beautiful full colour photos and scans of each item, contained in a pristine embossed sleeve.

It is a fitting showcase for the variety of materials in the exhibition, from a beautifully photographed artist book by Venezuelan writer and activist Yadira Silva to an album filled with paintings, photos and pressed flowers by an unknown woman traveling through northern India in the 1890s.

The final product was designed by David Moratto from a book concept by David Fernández and Tim Perry, Medieval Manuscript and Early Book Librarian at the Fisher. 

The catalogue's production was generously supported by longtime Friends and supporters of the Fisher Library Janet Dewan and Barbara Tangney, and Marie Korey, who co-edited the catalogue with Timothy Perry. It was printed and produced by Andora Graphics. 

"This is an incredible achievement and such a wonderful testament to the imagination, creativity, and extraordinary care that went into the Women on the Move exhibition and catalogue," says Loryl MacDonald, Associate Chief Librarian for Special Collections and Director of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. "It's a remarkable recognition of the team's work, and the Fisher’s commitment to producing innovative exhibitions.”

Congratulations to the many collaborators who participated in this project on this well-deserved recognition. You can browse a digitized version of the catalogue online.

Read more about the Women on the Move exhibition and browse a digital map exhibit of some of the items.

Fisher Library catalogue wins big at 2026 Leab Awards