Public Library Magic

The Art of Story

Library and GalleryMy dream public library would include juried art

exhibitions that change monthly in conjunction with the local first Friday activities.

Works of Art would be accompaniedby books that highlight the work

Sally Mann• From Lexington, Virginia

• Photographed her children

• Controversial

DisplaysArtist’s books and books written about the artist displayed near each work

and featured throughout the library make the books easily accessible.

Sally Mann, Candy Cigarette, 1989, gelatin silver print, copyright Sally Mann, courtesy

of Edwynn Houk Gallery

VideoIf available, featuring the artist’s work through video would be ideal. The video, played silently

could be displayed on a screen or projected onto a wall. (If the library owns a projector, this is a

dramatic display of both the artist’s work and the documentarian.)

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Sometimes I think the only memories I have are those that I’ve created around

photographs of me as a child. Maybe I’m creating my own life. I distrust any

memories I do have. They may be fictions, too.

Sally Mann

Including some quotes is not only be aesthetically pleasing, it can help the patron get to know the artist in an intimate way, without having to

speak to them directly.

Relationships

Connections between other artists, writers or influences can

enrich the patron experience even more.

Similar ArtistsDisplaying work

throughout the library helps create visual

cohesiveness.

Including work from similar artists expands the

patron’s view and educates about a movement, style or

other important issues surrounding the work or

the artist

Sally Mann’s work includes photographs

taken at the University of

Tennessee Knoxville’s Body Farm.Want a closer look?

Take a peek at the book What Remains located on the third floor.

Subtlety is ok too.

The Art of Story: My Dream Library

The floor plan for the interior should resemble a book store with more couches. It should be open but divided into nooks that encourage both reading and quiet contemplation as well as spaces to spark conversation or intellectual discourse.

The library design scheme should be neutral enough to accommodate a myriad of styles and types of art.

How could this be a practical public library?

Immersing patrons in an experience does not have to limit access to all other library services. There would still be a computer lab, a circulation area, reference material. But the arrangement would be more fluid. The furniture, shelving, displays, should all be movable to accommodate regular reconfigurations.

The library arrangement of materials could be subject based with areas to include books, music, periodicals, and audiovisual content. The Library of Congress classification system is arranged categorically, this lends itself to a much more intentional placement of material than just rows and rows of shelves.

What if the patron enjoyed their stay so much, they returned over and over again? Why not make the library a place of not only knowledge but beauty as well? The depth of experience could remake libraries as public space.

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Hey, I wonder what’s playing at the library

tonight!happy patron on a date

Wouldn’t it be great for patrons to look forward to a night out at the library?

References

Gloaguen, L. (2012, February 2). Journal de bord de Laurent Gloaguen.

Keller, C., Blessing, J. & Bryan-Wilson, J. (2011). Francesca Woodman. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: New York

Mann, S. (2010). Selected Works. Retrieved from sallymann.com

Mann, S. (2000). Body Farm. Retrieved from sallymann.com

Mann, S. & Price, R. (1995). Immediate Family. Aperture Foundation: New York

Morrison, B. (2010, May 28). Sally Mann: The naked and the dead. The Guardian. Retrieved from guardian.co.uk

Quoteman. (2013). Sally Mann. Retrieved from photoquotations.com.