The world of Harry Potter comes to Middleton

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By Emily Carden

The brilliant world of Harry Potter has made its way to the LSU campus. As of Sunday, Jan. 24, the lobby of Middleton Library, as well as other entities, is filled with information regarding the series of Harry Potter written by J.K. Rowling.

"Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine" is on display at Middleton Library, showcasing one of the most well-known literature masterpieces of all time. The exhibition has been made available by the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health to libraries throughout the United States free of charge for participating venues.

The Renaissance era plays a significant role in the Harry Potter Series, as noted in the exhibition. The themes of astrology, alchemy and natural viewpoints that cultivated a portion of Western Science are keenly hidden throughout the stories of Harry Potter.

While some may think of the novels as childlike, mature subject matter of accountability, yearning for knowledge and consequences of injustice are common within the reading. "Harry Potter: the Brand" notes such ideas concerning the progression from childhood literature into an international phenomenon.

The exhibition has also inspired local high school youths, LSU faculty and students to incorporate issues asserted in the display within the classroom setting. "Interpreting Harry Potter's World: a Fantasy Retrospective," demonstrates contemporary technology at its best with interpretations of mythical mortals, herbaceous plants and monstrous creatures by students - all key elements of Harry Potter's World.

According to the National Library of Medicine Web site, "Because plants and their uses are important to wizards, all students at Hogwarts are required to take Herbology. In Harry's second year, he learns how to grow mandrakes, real plants studied by historical botanists. Although it isn't his favorite subject, the young wizard soon comes to appreciate Herbology when he discovers that mandrake is the key ingredient of a potion that will cure his severely injured classmates," displaying several ideas prosperous to the reading audience of today.

Moreover, the NLM Web site stated, "At Hogwarts, Harry not only learns magic spells, charms and potions, he is also taught about the natural world and its uses. This knowledge helps Harry and his friends survive innumerable adventures." The plant life is only one of the elements presented by the students' art work.

Hill Memorial Library will also contain "Occult Science and Philosophy of the Renaissance" - a display formatted to showcase history dating back to 1536. Guests will be granted viewing pleasure of original documents containing the possible spark of the search of the "philosopher's stone" in the library's lecture hall.

The exhibition at Middleton Library contains almost 100 different pieces pertaining to the works of J.K. Rowling. All individuals associated with Baton Rouge and the LSU community are encouraged to attend.

The Middleton Library is opened Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Make sure to check out what has made the last 13 years a success for J.K. Rowling and the wonderful world of Harry Potter and what ignited the magic in it all. But beware - you may find yourself consumed and under an interesting spell of fantasy.

Originally Published: Issue 863 - February 3, 2010

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