Valentine’s Day is a time for love, and what better way to express it than by preserving the stories, knowledge, and history that have captivated hearts for generations? This year, let your love story unfold at Johns Hopkins University’s Sheridan Libraries by adopting a rare item. Whether you’re celebrating romance, friendship, or a passion for knowledge, your thoughtful gesture will resonate far beyond February 14th.
Does your loved one like music history? The Adopt-a-Book program boasts a special collection of photographs that capture the legendary jazz singer Pearl Bailey and her husband, master drummer Louie Bellson, a couple whose love was as harmonious as their music. After meeting in a London nightclub in 1952, Bailey and Bellson immediately connected and only four days later they were wed. Despite facing skepticism, not only for their seemingly impulsive marriage but also for being an interracial couple, Bailey and Bellson enjoyed a loving and successful 38-year marriage, lasting until Pearl’s passing in 1990.
Adopting this piece is a tribute to passion, partnership, and lasting love. Perfect for the jazz lover in your life or as a meaningful gift to honor a relationship that, like great music, only gets better with time.
Maybe your loved one’s passion is justice; if so, you’ll find many choices on the Adopt-a-Book page. Panther Sisters on Women’s Liberation, a 1969 article from The Movement newspaper, is a powerful testament to the courage and solidarity of Black women in the fight for equality. Adopting this piece honors the strength of those who challenge injustice and uplift one another—a perfect gift for a partner, friend, or anyone who believes that love and liberation go hand in hand.
Possibly, your loved one is like many of us, just trying to figure out what it means to exist in the life that we do. Show them you recognize the complexity of the human condition by adopting Euphoria/Dysphoria by Ren Barnes, a striking artists’ book exploring gender and identity. So, this Valentine’s Day, honor a cherished one with a gift that celebrates self-expression, transformation, and the beauty of being seen. Adopting this piece is a tribute to love in all its complexity—because true love, like true art, embraces every shade of the human experience.
No matter what you choose to adopt, you’re not only honoring someone special, you’re helping to preserve history, art, and knowledge for future generations. Whether it’s a timeless love story, a whimsical adventure, or a bold statement on passion and identity, there’s art waiting to be cherished. Explore our Adopt-a-Book program and make a meaningful impact today!