This interactive, participatory event is open to anyone in the SAIC Community. Join us individually, with friends, or in a class to engage in unconventional ways with the library's collections, architecture, and community!
Bibliodérive: 10 Years Later
Monday, October 13 - 18, 2025 • Sharp 5th & 6th Floors
Click here to see the full schedule
.What is Bibliodérive?.
Bibliodérive is the application of the Situationist International practice of the dérive or “drift” reapplied to the realm of research, libraries and archives.
The annual John M. Flaxman Library bibliodérive is a collection of generative, open-ended actions, or situations, taken to destabilize common research practices and disrupt the gathering of information to merely support extant ideas. It is a disruption in the traditional value assigned to libraries, archives, and collections—and to the very concept of research itself.
.Participate.
Propose a Prompt for the Deck by 9.15.25
Submit a dérive “prompt” for the Flaxman Library Bibliodérive Deck. Then come to the library during the bibliodérive and enact it!
What is a Situation?
A situation is an open-ended action that embodies the mission of the bibliodérive to destabilize common research practices and disrupt the gathering of information to merely support extant ideas. These have previously been in the forms of performances, events, gatherings, interactive activations, individual generative exercises, and more! Get inspired by past examples here.
How do I get my situation on the Bibliodérive schedule?
To best facilitate as many simultaneous situations as possible, we ask that you register your action before the event. (To receive the fullest attention of the organizers regarding logistics, please do so by the date above). Use this form to describe the situation you or your group would like to lead.
Keep in mind that any equipment or special media needs are your own responsibility. While there is no curation of projects, there are general safety guidelines at the School that should be considered and care of library materials should be maintained at all times (e.g. removal of large quantities of books from the shelves is not allowed). Scheduled situations are listed on the Schedule page (left column).
Can I get help brainstorming before registering my situation?
Of course! Please email flaxman@saic.edu to get the conversation started.