Johna Von Behrens recently went to the Harley & Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a class project, where she was inspired to update Booth Library’s Harley-Davidson 100-year anniversary exhibit from 2003.

Von Behrens, a senior library specialist at Booth Library, updated the previous exhibit for the 110-year anniversary of Harley-Davidson.

The exhibit will be on display until September.

Jocelyn Tipton, Booth Library head of reference at the time and now associate dean of public services, was responsible for putting together the 100-year anniversary exhibit.

Von Behrens said she has been a fan of Harley-Davidson ever since riding on the back of one.

“I just like the noise and riding on them,” she said.

Von Behrens said two men, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson, started the company in 1901 out of a shed in Milwaukee, and it is still there and now a part of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

According to harley-davidson.com, the company quickly out grew the shed and began work on a 90,000 square foot facility in 1929.

Von Behrens said that Harley-Davidson is now designing some motorcycles specifically for women riders.

“The thing I really like about the Harley-Davidson is they are gearing them towards women,” she said.

According to harley-davidson.com, the first well-known woman rider was Vivian Bales, also known as the ‘Enthusiast Girl.’ Bales picked up this moniker after writing in to The Enthusiast in 1929 about a cross-country trip she was planning.

Von Behrens said she likes the fact that Harley-Davidson is a family oriented brand and there is a real sense of brotherhood involved with owners of Harley-Davidsons.

She also said it is a nice company to work for according to an archivist at the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Von Behrens said Harley-Davidson has a long history of helping people like firefighters and soldiers through its foundation.

According to Harley-Davidson’s website, “We build strong, skilled and sustainable communities where we work. With our employees and dealers, we help fulfill dreams through partnerships with charitable organizations.”

Marcus Smith can be reached at 581-7942 or masmith6@eiu.edu.