our lithification process

  • Why Science, Technology, & Society?

    Scientific & technological advancements and set-backs demonstrate humanity's ongoing curiosity with how things work and why we are the ways we are; we actively seek examples of these explorations to present what we can learn from them in book and object.

    Diatoms are essentially the lithic snowflakes of the Earth's crust, each one looking uniquely different than its neighbor however bearing similar traits. We love that each book carries its own distinct mark on our culture because of its content but also appreciate how each book -- depending on its edition, or weathering, or travel through hands -- has its own story to tell. 

    We believe that topics of Science, Technology & Society (or, STEM) are fascinating and fundamental so we choose to highlight & lean into these specialties to make space for their digestion and understanding in every day life.

  • What is a Diatom?

    Diatoms are microscopic uni-cellular silica-based organisms that make up the earth's crust, which en masse are sometimes referred as "diatomaceous Earth."

    They live in aqueous or damp environments, and we tread over them every day without realizing that they produce 20-30% of the air we breathe via carbon fixation! They are important to our food chain balance and act like an indicator species for identifying the health of an ecosystem.

  • Collaborations & Memberships

    We participate in ongoing dialogue & research via professional membership with the following organizations: 

    Textile Society of America (TSA); Zumbro Valley Weaving Guild (ZVWG); Minnesota Textile Center (TCM); Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums (ATALM); Ampersand Club (Mpls, MN); Minnesota Mineral Club; Minnesota Geological Society; Society of Ethnobiology (SoE); National Association for Interpretation (NAI); American Alliance of Museums (AAM); International Coalition of Sites of Conscience; Ephemera Society; Seat Weavers' Guild; United States Geological Survey; Diatoms of North America.

We would like to acknowledge that we live and operate on the stolen lands and unceded territory of the Oceti Ŝakowiŋ (Seven Council Fires) — Dakota/Nakota/Lakota (Sioux) and Anishinabewaki (Chippewa and Ojibwe) First Nations, who have been stewards of our region’s land and waters Since Time Immemorial, and who continue to protect these lands and waters for future generations.

We are continuously working at decolonizing ourselves on every level possible and we stand in solidarity with indigenous people here and everywhere in the world.

Harmful Language Statement

Due to the nature of museology and origins of anthropology, observation, and collecting artifacts, these materials may offer conclusions, exactitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes of and about certain groups of peoples or practises. We choose to maintain these books and archives for the purpose of authentic cultural representation as well as important context such as photographs, dates, locations, and more, in order to connect the dots in current and future research.

Maintaining historical evidence of inaccuracies, theories, and misrepresentations are a priority of Diatom Books because they can help us understand blindspots, oversights, and evolution. With this in mind, we are aware that some of the materials can contain images and language which reflect the climate of the historical period in which they were created and are potentially harmful or offensive. To be clear, the rhetoric of these materials does not reflect Diatom Books’ mission or endorse in any way any discriminatory or otherwise offensive depictions.