This hands-on exhibition covers approximately one hundred years of innovative book design focusing on mass produced publications rather than limited edition small press or one-of-a-kind artists’ books. The intent of the exhibition is to show book design in a wider cultural context than is usually presented and to highlight innovations in text and image presentation, use of materials, historic impact and the application of new technologies.

The exhibition will include more than one hundred books arranged in "reading room" displays that are suggestive of some of the major art movements of the last century. Nine of the eleven sculptural displays were inspired by the concept of pop-up books and are constructed to reflect the style of the period or movement they represent. The displays included are Arts and Crafts, Expressionist, Constructivist, Bauhaus, Surrealist, Art Deco, Pop Art, International Style and Post-Modernist. Two additional displays hold books that are less easily categorized.

Some of the titles included are, The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer by William Morris, A Toute Epreuve by Joan Miro, The Alphabet and Elements of Lettering by Frederic W. Goudy and Jazz by Henri Matisse.

Anderson Gallery Director, Ted Potter states, "The power and beauty of finely designed books stand the test of time and speak to the collaboration of each generation’s writers and artists. A Century of Innovative Book Design is not only an engaging exhibition, it is a road map that tracks this journey during the 20th century."