Common Ink: The Connection & Process of Art in Libraries

For traditional Chinese scholars, painting was regarded as ‘silent poetry’, and poetry as ‘painting with sound’. This idea solidifies the connection between art and the written (or spoken) word - two worlds that can often be appreciated separately but which shine once connected. Our presentation will focus on the ties between libraries and art and offer information on the sourcing, displaying, and storing of art in libraries with a strong emphasis on local community input and support. Particular topics covered will include outreach to and relationship building with local artists, how the library can act as a gateway into the community through art, the science behind curating artwork for a particular space and how to properly display it, and how to maintain and store artwork.Although all libraries will be able to benefit from this presentation, we see a particular need for this topic in relation to small and rural libraries that don’t have a designated art manager or even staff with formal training on the preservation of artwork. The ultimate goal of our presentation will be to have librarians leave with a basic knowledge of how to curate art within a particular space and an enthusiasm to begin facilitating connections with local artists in their community. Art expands horizons and connects us all - a pillar by which all libraries stand by.