MVC'S Murrell library to host Harry Potter exhibit | New exhibition tells the story of the magical world of Harry Potter and its connections to Renaissance traditions and the history of science

"Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine," a traveling exhibition opening at Missouri Valley College in Murrell Memorial Library on Wednesday, Oct. 21, uses materials from the National Library of Medicine to explore Harry Potter's magical world and its roots in Renaissance traditions, according to a news release from the college.

In 1997, British author J. K. Rowling published the first Harry Potter book, "The Sorcerer's Stone."

Millions of readers have followed the story of a young orphaned wizard, who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he discovers his heritage, encounters new plants and animals and perfects his magical abilities.

Although the series of seven Potter books are fictional, the tale is based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science, including alchemy, astrology and natural philosophy.

Incorporating the work of several 15th- and 16th-century thinkers, the "Harry Potter" books examine important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice and the responsibility that comes with power, according to the news release.

"We are delighted to have been selected as a site for this exhibition," said Library Director Pam Reeder. "The study of Renaissance magic, science and medicine adds a fascinating dimension to 'Harry Potter' for both children and adults. For example, alchemist Nicolas Flamel is fictionally featured in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.' Flamel was a real 15th-century scholar whose experiments with metals influenced the development of modern chemistry. Our library is thrilled to explore exhibition themes, including the development of Western science, through a series of fun, informative and innovative programs."

Exhibit panels feature the works of 15th- and 16th-century thinkers, such as alchemist Flamel, naturalist Konrad Gesner and occultist Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim, and explore their understandings of natural philosophy, medicine and magic.

The panels also highlight illustrations from Renaissance texts of some of the fantastic creatures and plants featured in "Harry Potter," including basilisks, dragons, merpeople and mandrakes, and use them to explore the intersection between the novels and Renaissance thinkers, lore and practices.

The National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., organized the exhibition. The exhibition tour is coordinated by the American Library Association Public Programs Office, Chicago. For more information about the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health visit www.nlm.nih.gov.

In conjunction with the Harry Potter exhibition, there will be a seminar series Oct. 19 and Oct. 26, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Ferguson Center R. Wilson Brown room, on the MVC campus.

Stephen Patton, MVC professor of chemistry, will present "The End of Science and the Beginning of Magic," at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19.

Patton proposes that there have been five periods of normal scientific and religious activity over the last 1,000 years.

These "paradigms," were first mentioned the landmark book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," by Thomas Kuhn.

Patton's seminar examines the relationship between these paradigms and periods of scientific revolution or religious awakening.

MVC Criminal Justice Prof. Jon Duke, will present "The History of Prisons: from Biblical Holding Cell to the Quaker Prison and Beyond," at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26.

Duke's seminar will explore a 500-year history of prisons.

The seminars are free and open to the public and no reservations are required.

For more information, contact Special Events Coordinator Brian Hampton, hamptonb@moval.edu. "Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine" will be on display at the library until Friday, Nov. 20.