How do dolls and action figures contribute to child development, learning, and acculturation?  Playing with dolls is, for many, a fundamental component of childhood.  Cultural practices surrounding them, though, are not often questioned.  Join us for an exploration of the content inherent in toys, books, and accessories for materials like Barbie, American Girl, and G.I. Joe as well as cloth, porcelain, and wooden dolls. Perspectives on race, gender, class, ethnicity, politics, and religion may be evident. The panelists will also discuss how such elements are built into performative play.   

This panel accompanies the Dolls, Childhood, & Play exhibit currently on display in the Archives & Special Collections Exhibit Gallery, located on the 3rd floor of Hillman Library. It features 19th through 21st century content primarily from the Elizabeth Nesbitt Collection of historical children's literature. Please be aware that the exhibit includes materials with offensive and discriminatory content related to race, nationality, and gender. 

This event is free and open to the public!

Panelists: 

• Clare Withers, Curator of the Elizabeth Nesbitt Collection, University of Pittsburgh Library System
• Dr. Courtney Weikle-Mills, Associate Professor, Children's Literature Certificate Program Director, University of Pittsburgh Department of English

• Hebah Uddin, Graduate Candidate, Ph.D., Literature, University of Pittsburgh Department of English

Hillman Library is located at 3960 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Free on-street parking is available after 6:00 p.m. on various streets surrounding the library. Paid parking is also available at Soldiers & Sailors Parking Garage (.2 miles from the library). Hillman is also accessible by public transportation. See the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website for planning your trip. 

The entrance to the library is located at the Forbes Avenue address, accessed by a ramp leading from street level to the First Floor plaza. Sidewalks around the library are closed as part of library renovation; follow signs to library entrance.

Please email mam687@pitt.edu with any questions or accessibility accommodation requests.