Saying hello again is a display of books and instant photographs ruminating on memory, intimacy, and interpersonal relationships curated by David Alpert. This display includes artist books from the Decker Library Special collections and books and photographs from Alpert’s personal collection. A note from the curator: I curated Saying hello again because I was looking for connection—the kind of connection that is comfortable, expansive, and deeply personal. Each of these twenty-one books is a collection unto itself, a dense world of personal ephemera, poetic mourning, or rebellious parables. They house photographs of windows with glowing orange lights, reflections on place, and dedications to family and friends. These books are also objects, each with a unique history. They are marked with birthday wishes, dog-eared corners, or notes from people we’ve loved. We take these books with us when we go on walks or meetup with friends. Sometimes we take them to bed, placing them on blankets or bedside tables. I have chosen a photograph or two to accompany each book. My photographs are my diary. They help me remember my life and support my nostalgia. Like a friend or a part of me, my snapshots keep these books company. The books do the same in return. Together, they form a partial self-portrait, a momentary reflection.