Northern Illinois University’s Library is proud to introduce the Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) who are playing a pivotal role in the BookLab, an innovative new space dedicated to exploring the history of writing, printing, and book-making traditions. Today, we shine the spotlight on Bosompemaa Apea Dankwa (left), Juliet Tawiah (center), and Angela Marcelino (right)—three talented women whose academic journeys and expertise are enriching the BookLab’s mission.
Bosompemaa Apea Dankwa: Bridging the Past with Hands-on Learning
Bosompemaa Apea Dankwa, a second-year master’s student, is delving into the intricate world of medieval manuscript practices as part of her role as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the BookLab. With a particular focus on historical writing techniques and bookbinding, Bosompemaa’s research investigates the rich craftsmanship behind medieval books. Her work includes hands-on exploration of quill cutting, historical bookbinding, and other vital elements of bookmaking from centuries past.
Bosompemaa’s academic curiosity is fueled by a desire to understand how historical materials influenced the writing experience. Through her practice at the BookLab, she is gaining a deeper appreciation for the techniques that shaped how people interacted with written texts in the past. “I enjoy discovering the craftsmanship behind medieval books,” she says. “It’s fascinating to see how materials, like parchment and ink, influenced the creation of books. I’m thrilled to be working in a space that allows me to explore and experiment with these traditional methods.”
Juliet Tawiah: Exploring Language, Storytelling, and the Evolution of the Written Word
Juliet Tawiah, a second-year master’s student in English, is equally excited to contribute to the BookLab’s mission. With a background in teaching first-year composition, Juliet brings her passion for language, storytelling, and the evolution of the written word to the BookLab’s dynamic environment.
As one of the first Graduate Teaching Assistants assigned to the BookLab, Juliet is thrilled to be part of such an innovative collaboration between the NIU Library and the Department of English. “I’m fascinated by the evolution of how stories and knowledge were shared across centuries,” Juliet shares. “Being part of the BookLab allows me to engage with historical materials that help illuminate the development of writing and printing practices over time.”
Juliet’s excitement for historical printing techniques and book-making traditions makes her an invaluable member of the BookLab team, as she encourages others to appreciate the profound relationship between language, storytelling, and the physical book.
Angela Marcelino: Fostering Creativity Through Outreach and Innovation
Angela Marcelino is a Ph.D. candidate in British and American Literature at NIU. As a BookLab Summer Graduate Assistant, Angela brought a unique blend of teaching, research, and creative outreach to the project. Her work focused on developing workshops for the Book Beetle mobile printing press and helping to furnish the mobile book lab cart, which serves as a key tool in the BookLab’s mission of bringing historical book-making traditions to a broader audience.
Angela’s role in the BookLab is marked by her dedication to hands-on education and outreach, creating engaging experiences for both students and the public. “I love how the Book Beetle mobile printing press allows us to take bookmaking outside the traditional classroom setting,” Angela says. “It’s rewarding to see how people of all ages connect with the process of printing and the rich history behind it.”
Her contributions extend beyond the creation of engaging workshops; Angela is also passionate about bridging the gap between scholarly research and public engagement. Through her work, she helps cultivate a deeper understanding of historical writing and printing practices, making the BookLab’s resources accessible and exciting to all.
With their expertise in medieval manuscript practices, quill cutting, historical bookbinding, the evolution of the written word, and innovative outreach projects, Bosompemaa, Juliet, and Angela are ensuring that the BookLab is not just a space for research, but also one for discovery, innovation, and collaboration. The work they are doing now will leave a lasting impact on how future generations understand the history of the written word.
