On Thursday, October 16, Roman Koot bid farewell as librarian of the Rotterdamsch Leeskabinet (RLK) and as Curator of Special Collections at the Erasmus University Library. His retirement was celebrated with the symposium Rotterdam Boekenstad (Rotterdam Book City).
Roman Koot joined the RLK as librarian in 2017 and was also appointed Curator of Special Collections at the University Library in 2021. His earlier roles included faculty liaison at Utrecht University Library and head of Library and Archives at the RKD – Netherlands Institute for Art History.
During the symposium, Roman’s farewell was honored by speakers including Leo van de Wetering (director Donner bookstore), Alex Alsemgeest (Curator of Library Collections, Rijksmuseum), and John Tholen (Curator of the Heritage Collection, Rotterdam Central Library). Poet Anne Vegter delivered an outstanding reading of her work, and moderation was expertly handled by Abdelkader Benali.
A highlight of the program was the presentation of De reis van de vallende bladeren (The Journey of the Falling Leaves), the third volume in a series of special publications for members and relations of the University Library and the RLK. Bookmaker Pieter Kers produced the edition, with text by Abdelkader Benali and superb illustrations by visual artist and illustrator Tja Ling Hu. RLK members unable to attend the afternoon session will receive the gift by post.
As a token of appreciation, Bas Kwakman, chairman of the RLK board, presented Roman Koot with a Liber Amicorum, compiled in honor of his retirement. Roman Koot has since been succeeded by Suzie Hermán, who is pleased to introduce herself on our staff page.
