Get to Know: Phil DeLoria

With such success last summer finding out information about the staff of Langsdale Library, we are bringing you four new faces from our library staff for you to “get to know.”

This past winter, Phil DeLoria, the University Archivist in our Special Collections library, shared with the staff some of his bookbinding talents. Now we can share some of his art with our library users.

Q: We asked Phil about how his interest in bookbinding started. Here is his response:

I have always appreciated fine books, but while I was an undergraduate Classical Studies student, I had a job with the University of Michigan Papyrus Collection where I got to know the Senior Conservator, Leyla Lau-Lamb, who was also a bookbinder. She encouraged me in my interest, and directed me to a few books that outlined the process of bookbinding. The following year, I had an internship with Jim Craven, a master bookbinder with over 50 years of service to the University. Since, I have enjoyed binding books, journals, and sketchbooks for my personal use and for select acquaintances.

We also asked Phil a few personal questions. Read on to learn more about our archivist.

Q: What was the first book you remember reading?

A: A Great Big Ugly Man Came Up and Tied His Horse to Me: A Book of Nonsense Verse by WallaceTripp

Q: Tell us three facts about you, but make one not true, and let us guess.

A: I once lived in an airstream trailer at the end of a dead end road in Kauai, HA.
I crewed a tall ship over summer vacation in 1993.

I’ve touched a magical spell / curse invocation that dated to 400 AD.

Q: What is one of your favorite quotes?

A: “If one advances confidently in the direction of one’s dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau

Q: If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?

A: Artist’s Point, Grand Marais, MN

Q: What was your favorite food when you were a child?

A: Brook trout… and it still is my favorite.

Q: Who was president of the United State of America when you were born?

A: Gerald R. Ford (Go Blue!)

Q: If I did not work in a library, I would …….

A: Make more art?

And finally, we asked Phil to suggest some book titles that he has found helpful and/or interesting, and Langsdale owns these great books. Check them out yourself at the library.

One Reply to “Get to Know: Phil DeLoria”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply