Stephen F. Austin University: Library

Oh this library has some of the friendliest people working there.
Very cool art piece created from book jacket spines.

Nice donor floor

North Idaho College Library

This small library has a lot to offer any student including an enthusiastic and capable staff.  I LOVE the gargoyles on the stacks.  These gargoyles are part of an art course assignment and change on a regular basis.  To see more of the library visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157625494344690/ 

(visited September 2010)

Sutton Public Library

Sutton Public Library

Now this small town has an extraordinary library. Airy, beautiful, rich in books and friendly people.

Beautiful art
Love the fireplace, and those lamps!

It's like a church for books.
Even the door stops are art pieces.

Palmer Public Library

Palmer Public Library August 3, 2012 Another great community library packed with books and nooks.
I loved this tent for the kids
Wonderful art piece
Donating chairs! A very cool idea.
Oooh and more fundraising swag.

Visiting Wasilla Public Library

A cozy, packed, interesting, wonderful library. Lots of natural light, and just packed with books. My kind of library. Out behind the library was a farmers market where I was able to find a couple of wonderful art pieces. I loved this hand painted chair
And ended up buying this blue bag.

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles

My friends took me to the Griffith Observatory for the Summer Solstice.  It was awesome.  I, of course, kept my eye out for interesting ways to honor donors. I was not disappointed.  If you want to look at other photos from that outing check them out here on my Flickr Album.

Donor Wall:

Absolutely wonderful art/education piece.  For more information about the piece go to http://griffithobservatory.org/exhibits/cosmic_connection.html

Tuzzy Consortium Library in Barrow AK

GORGEOUS public library way up north.  Be sure to check out all of my photos of this library via this Flickr Album.

Glass art piece depicting the year.

Art and the main desk

Lots of light and books to read.

Shorter shelving units are on wheels to make it possible to have large events.

Bozeman Public Library - Entryway Sculpture

Lovely statue in the front entry:

Utah State University: Gallery Space

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Looking down from the second floor at the gallery space near the entry of the library. They were mounting a cowboy poetry display.

Stairs and art

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

The mobile moves and is made of books that are butterflies, or butterflies that are books. Depends entirely on your point of view.

Library Art

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Having assigned a paraprofessional librarian to be a full-time "friends" librarian has paid off. They have been able to buy art with some of the money received.

Art in the Library - Univ. of Alaska, Anchorage

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Foucault's Pendulum "Still Proving the Earth Rotates" and hung in a prominent spot in this fabulous library.

Art in the Library - Univ of Alaska, Fairbanks

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Paper. Several years ago there was an exhibit of paper sculptures in the library. They decided to purchase this fabulous raven.

Art in the Library - Univ. of Alaska - Fairbanks

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

A collection of prints by Fred Machetanz hang gallery style in the library. They are wonderful!

Art in the Library - Univ of Alaska, Anchorage

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Anchorage had lots of great photographs in the library. This is one of my favorites.

University of Alaska - Fairbanks

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Lots of serious library stuff was discussed, of course. But what I thought I'd share with you is an anecdote related to me by my tour guide librarian. I know we're all looking for art to place in our libraries. This picture is of a very heavy metal sculpture that magically appeared in place one day. Perhaps some student couldn't figure out how to get it home. Who knows. All they know is an anonymous artist and donor somehow made it happen with no one knowing about it. -- Jenny

For more photos of the library see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605548013800/

Colorado School of Mines - Golden

vault display1
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

There are a lot of different art displays and installations at the libraries I visited, but none had the size, weight or impact of this one. It is a large, very heavy vault and with displays on mining and gold. Um, wow. Only problem is, that this display was put in before library real estate became a premium and now they'd like to move it, but it is just too heavy.

Additionally they have created signage for power outlets. We know that everyone with a laptop is searching for one of these. -- Jenny
For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604987869998/

University of Colorado - Denver

kite competition
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

UC Denver, or rather the Auraria Library is actually the library for three institutions of higher education, UC Denver (of course) Metropolitan State College of Denver and Community College of Denver. As such this library has many interesting challenges such as tracking reference statistics for each institution. I don't even want to think about Information Literacy.

I was really taken by the art display of kites in the library and found out more about it. The kites are all part of a juried art show, which is a fundraiser for the library. The kites will be auctioned off at the end of the display period and the money will be split by the student artist and the library. They have a flickr set at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aurarialibrary/sets/72157603987993027/

-- Jenny

For more of my pictures of the library see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604987220408/