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Welcome back, Gators!

We can't wait to help make 2026, your year!

The exterior of Smathers Library

FEATURED LIBRARY EVENT

FEATURED LIBRARY EVENTS

Upcoming Events

  1. May 19

  2. Jun 10

  3. Jul 16

  4. Aug 03

 

FEATURED eXHIBIT

Smathers Library Gallery (2nd floor), through May 8th

Animating Hope: Izaak and Bertie Cohen's Puppet Theater

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Izaak (Ike) and Bertha (Bertie) Cohen hid in Rotterdam. Concealed in the upstairs apartment of Nico Dane and Gien Dane-Verkouter, the couple was often forced to hide in a narrow closet behind a staircase. In this confined space and under these dangerous conditions, the Cohens created a puppet theater. Ike carved the wooden hand puppets while Bertie sewed costumes and painted the figures’ faces. Inspired by classic fairy tales, they used the puppets to stage clandestine performances for local children. Their identities remained a secret, and their presence obscured. These performances transformed an environment of fear into one of hope. All exhibits are free and open to the public during the same hours as the building in which they are housed, unless otherwise specified and with occasional exceptions for maintenance.

Illustration of a puppet show with a silhouetted puppet and blue curtains.

News and Highlights

Class of 2026: Humans of the Libraries

The Humans of the Libraries photo story celebrates the Smathers centennial student employee class of 2025. We are so proud of their accomplishments and the energy they have brought to…

Woman smiling and holding a magazine titled "Grandstand" while lying on newspapers.