This exhibit showcases examples of the many popular college girl novels published during the early 1900s. These books, set in fictionalized versions of the eastern women's colleges, Smith, Wellesley, and Vassar, were aimed at an audience of girls and played a part in popularizing the idea of higher education for women. Scholars in Women's Studies, History, and Popular Culture see them as significant records for study.

          The books are from the collection of Susan Burke, adjunct librarian, who has gathered them over the past couple decades from flea markets, thrift shops and book stores. In addition to their merits which invite scholarly attention, these novels are a heck of a lot of fun.