The Butler Children’s Literature Center at Dominican University commits itself to imagination and wonder, encouraging and supporting adults in libraries, classrooms, childcare centers, and homes to engage young people with good books.

The owl is Effie Lee Morris’s personal symbol and represents the young reader, who is the “fourth owl” after the three first identified by New York Public Librarian Anne Carroll Moore in 1924 (author, illustrator, editor).

The Butler Center is open to the public during our stated hours, or by request to the curator at butler@dom.edu. Visit us to look at the newest books published for young people in the United States, talk about what we’re reading, collect a recommendation (or five), or just enjoy the space.

Our collections include the examination collection, which includes most of the newly-published books for kids and teens during the current year; as well as several collections of historical value: The Effie Lee Morris Collection of African American Books (and several hundred owl figurines!), and the Ellin Greene Storytelling Collection.

The annual Butler Lecture aims to bring to campus nationally-known authors and illustrators. Former Butler Lecturers include Ed Young, Jane Yolen, LeUyen Pham,  Christian Robinson, and Holly Black.

The Butler Children’s Literature Center and the Butler Lecture Series are generously supported by the Butler Family Foundation, Lynne Butler Adams, and an anonymous donor.