As a burgeoning public librarian, I found this module so inspiring! I have come to learn that the hyperlinked librarian is not just tech-savvy in the traditional sense but uses technology to connect with and learn about what their unique communities want and need in their local library.
As a relatively artsy person, I took a lot of inspiration from the idea of bringing local art and artists into the library space because there is so much crossover between what the library and the museum/gallery spaces offer. Spokane Library’s The Hive is incredible, especially its Artist-in-Residence program, which offers local artists studio space in exchange for their leading community programs (Spokane Public Library, n.d.). How fun would it be to attend an artisan-led program that taught you a new skill?!
While most libraries do not have the resources to establish a separate building dedicated to programming, I think that the prospect of collaborations between the library and local artists is not only possible but exciting! For example, the West Hollywood Library utilizes its open public spaces to showcase local art and rotates exhibits, so patrons always have something new to explore. I think this is a great middle-ground in creating partnerships that make the library a more beautiful, communal, and exciting space!
I would love to plan gallery events in my library that would allow patrons to enjoy local art and artists to have their art shown publicly. I even think a children’s or YA version where kids can display and take pride in their art would be incredibly fun and meaningful.
That being said, the most effective hyperlinked librarian does not design a program solely based on what they assume would be fun and worthwhile, but on what their unique community does. To this end, hyperlinked librarians can employ technological methodology, such as through social media engagement, online or in-person polls, email campaigns, etc., to give patrons a voice in what the programming at their library includes.
References
City of West Hollywood. (n.d.). WeHo arts exhibition spaces at the West Hollywood Library. https://www.weho.org/community/arts-and-culture/visual-arts/library-exhibitions
Spokane Public Library. (n.d.). The Hive. https://www.spokanelibrary.org/hive/
Spokane’s Artist-in-Residence program sounds pretty amazing. It’s great that they have such a large space to be able to provide this, and is a great way to make art education and exploration more accessible to the public through programming, and it’s nice promotion for the artist as well. I was surprised to read that you could only visit The Hive with a reservation. It obviously must work for them, but I do not see something like that (appointment only model) working in my community.
Another public library that has an artist-in-residence program is the Aurora Public Library in Aurora, IL (https://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/Makerspace). The outreach department where I work takes field trips to visit the outreach departments in other libraries, and this was one we visited last year before they got the program up and running.
@zoeparker This: “I would love to plan gallery events in my library that would allow patrons to enjoy local art and artists to have their art shown publicly.” I really like this idea and I sure hope you get to do something like this in your professional career. I would argue that what you describe in this post would be absolutely on target for a public library space.