So as we know, I’m a librarian. My favorite time of year is Summer Reading. Every year my library system picks a theme and we host programs, make displays, and more sometimes surrounding that theme. But since I’ve moved to the admin office I haven’t been able to get as involved as I wanted, so I talked my manager into letting me try something else….. Like Digital Archiving!
This year’s Summer Reading Theme is truly one for all ages. Color Our World is all about art, in all senses. From coloring and painting, to the more unconventional arts like dance, we’re bringing speakers and guests in from all over to tell us more about their subject. But have you ever thought about the art that’s ALREADY in the library and has been for years?
The best way to tell that story is my library’s Digital Archive. There you can find art projects, statues, and more that have come up at our branches throughout the years. The range that can be found on the archive is CRAZY. And the way its talked about it so interesting! I’m not one for history, but this archive made me lose like a day and a half just going down the rabbit hole. If you are interested in history or even just libraries, be careful, you might lose more time than me lol If you’re interested in seeing more, read some of the examples of the summer reading theme below! And you can visit the actual archive here!
Mural: a painting or other work of art executed directly on a wall
My library system has at least six colorful murals across the county. Some are located outside and some are inside the walls of the buildings. We even have one that’s removeable. The coolest thing about the murals though? They span different mediums and were all done by the community.
Whether there’s one artist or a collection of them, you’re bound to feel the entire community while looking at these pieces, because they were all involved. One mural was painted by those that attended a Hispanic Heritage Fiesta that the library held and one mural has handprints by the community’s citizens following a fundraiser thrown by the Friends of the Library.
It might seem strange to say there are different mediums when they’re attached to a wall, but they aren’t all just paint. One of the murals is a tile mosaic, one is made of whole tile. No matter what its made with and no matter what it’s on, we cherish all the bold and beautiful displays across the County.
Statues: An object crafted to replicate the form of a subject
The County also has quite the collection of statues. There’s several that feature a family sharing a book together. There is one of two children reading outside the one library that was donated by their Garden Club and was renamed by the current branch manager. Other statues like it can be found at other branches too. One is a bit different, than the others as there’s also a child off to the side who’s playing with a boat.
Some statues across the county hold a more somber spirit. These are statues that were donated or given to us In Memoriam of someone or a group of people. Outside one branch, there is a Great Dane statue in remembrance of one of their late coworkers. It features a touching scene of her favorite dog breed reading with a young child. At another you’ll find a woman holding a vase that was dedicated to “the loving memory of all the deceased members of that community’s Garden Club.”
Some libraries also have some, shall we say, “non-traditional” statues located at or in the vicinity of their library. At one you can find Ms. Pearl, the precious pelican librarian in her cardigan and glasses on a chain. She is part of the Pelican Trail across that part of the county. In the stacks at another branch, there is a sort of eerie bust of Amelia Earheart that’s sitting on top of their Large Type books. And let’s not forget the abstract statue sitting outside the SM library.
Displays: a visual presentation of library materials (like books, artifacts, or objects) that is designed to draw attention to specific topics, events, or library resources
For public library staff, our “most busy time” is during Summer Reading. By summer, it’s our turn to show off! Not only with our creative programs, or the coolest guest speakers, but also just our plain ol’ creativity. We know plenty of people are coming into the library to scour the shelves, but what better way to entice them to check something out than to put it front and center on a bright and inviting display?
Some branches have the huge front facing windows that are beautiful and let in so much natural light. They also make for a really great large canvas. One staff member decorates them every few months depending on the theme and/or season. Another staff member made an actual longhorn cattle sculpture out of papier-mâché, cardboard, and newspaper. The look of it was completed by giving him a field of Bluebonnets to stand in.
Let’s not forget about the jaw-dropping displays out there too! One employee made a turkey out of a book! At another they were able to turn the entire Children’s desk into a pirate ship! And at lastly, at another, there was once a rubber duck collection made entirely from an employee’s collection. (Fun fact, she said it was only about a third of her collection!)
Partnerships: relationship resembling a legal partnership and usually involving close cooperation between parties having specified and joint rights and responsibilities
The artistic community of Harris County Public Library reaches way past our library walls. Not only have numerous branches done art shows for patrons and thrown programs dedicated to different types of art, but the community of artists also reach toward our partnerships, like with the Juvenile Probation Department students who once made art to display at one branch and the local Museum of Fine Arts. Our amazing partners at the Museum of Fine Arts offer a camp to libraries across the county that covers four days at the library doing hands on art techniques and then a field trip to the MFAH. The County’s community of artists are also recognized by the County Commissioners, who head the Public Art Program. There’s over 60 art installations across the county, some with nods to books and literature.
This year’s Summer Reading theme is so universal and such a great idea to bring artists of all ages and all mediums together. The library has always been a space for the creatives to thrive. It’s truly a third space for everyone to gather and foster connections through all things, including art. My library and its community are a great example of this. Make sure you go to the archive to see all the art from the libraries across the years!
Do you like history? Does your library have an archive? Do you like library history? Let me know in the comments!