Toledo home to major collection of original children’s artwork

TOLEDO, Ohio — One of the best collections of original artwork used in children’s literature, the Robert L. and Posy Huebner Collection, is celebrating two decades, and it’s right here at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

That’s good news for anyone who’s ever picked up a picture book.

The words and the pictures work together to tell a story, encouraging children to read and love books.

“Being able to see that process and learn more about how picture books are created is one of the goals of the Huebner Collection,” said Nancy Eames, the library’s youth services coordinator.  

Original artwork in the collection is currently on display at the Toledo Library’s main branch.

The collection began 20 years ago with a donation of 13 original illustrations to the library by Robert and Posy Huebner. Since then it has expanded to more than 240 works of art. 

The collection was opened the same year Robert Huebner passed away, 2004.

Nancy Eames, the Library’s youth service coordinator, says Robert’s wife Posy didn’t want their collection to go to waste.

“It was a great fit. We worked with Posey over the next 10 years until her passing to build this amazing collection, which has continued on since she passed in 2014,” said Eames.

Eames says 8 artists  from Ohio are featured in the collection, including Will Hillenbrand, author and illustrator of such children’s books as “the Voice in the Hollow” the winner of the 2024 Ohio Book Award for Juvenile Literature. 

Hillenbrand says children’s book artwork can open the doors to a child’s imagination.

“We’re just celebrating so much about what’s happening for children, and allowing them to see that the original artwork outside of the book, so they can see kind of the process of how things are made by real people,” said Hillenbrand. 

After 30 years in the industry and over 80 children’s books published, Hillenbrand understands that something special can spring from kids’ minds when they see these kinds of images.

“In our world, we have magic, which can be hocus pocus, which is Penn and Teller, but when you come to the human imagination, it’s all connected to books, and going to the Neverland and into the world of books is where the real magic is,” said Hillenbrand.

The exhibit of original artwork will be on display in the gallery through January 18th,  but you can see the Huebner Collection year-round.

Art from the collection rotates between the Main Library and its 12 branches. The collection is supported by the Library Legacy Foundation, which the library described as championing literacy, education and cultural enrichment through various programs.

For more information about Toledo Library programs and locations, visit toledolibrary.org.