Breadcrumb
Cosmos in the Stacks
Welcome to Cosmos in the Stacks
We are creating a series of self-guided, interactive exhibits throughout the Library stacks that transform browsing into an adventure across the disciplines of the Library of Congress Classification system—from anthropology to zoology. By combining books with hands-on exhibits, displays, and real-world artifacts, we aim to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and help visitors discover new subjects in meaningful and memorable ways.
Recent additions include interactive exhibits on honey bees, a combustion engine, and tidepool life, bringing Library collections to life through tangible learning experiences. Future exhibits may feature topics such as paleontology, astronomy, engineering, and other disciplines represented in our collections.
This evolving gallery strengthens the Library's role as a place for discovery, connecting visitors with accurate information, curriculum-based learning, and engaging experiences that inspire lifelong curiosity. By thoughtfully integrating collections with interactive exhibits, we are creating a destination where learning extends beyond the page and every visit offers something new to explore.
Begin Your Adventure Through Cosmos in the Stacks
Why Cosmos in the Stacks?
The name Cosmos in the Stacks pays tribute to Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859), the scientist, explorer, and namesake of Cal Poly Humboldt. Humboldt believed that everything in nature is connected and that true understanding comes from seeing relationships across disciplines rather than studying subjects in isolation.
His most influential work, Cosmos: A Sketch of a Physical Description of the Universe, was published in five volumes between 1845 and 1862. More than a scientific encyclopedia, Cosmos was an ambitious effort to weave together astronomy, geology, biology, geography, meteorology, botany, history, and the arts into one unified view of the natural world. Humboldt's writing inspired generations of scientists, including Charles Darwin and John Muir, and helped shape modern environmental science by emphasizing the interconnectedness of people, places, and ecosystems.
Cosmos in the Stacks brings that same spirit of discovery to the Library. As you explore the collections, you'll encounter hands-on exhibits integrated throughout the Library of Congress Classification system—from honey bees, combustion engines, and tidepool life to future exhibits highlighting paleontology, astronomy, engineering, and beyond. Like Humboldt's Cosmos, these exhibits encourage visitors to make unexpected connections, discover new interests, and see the Library not as a series of separate subjects, but as one interconnected universe of knowledge waiting to be explored.