Sponsored by Washington Art Library Resources Committee (WALRC)
Speakers:Gary Ginther, Fine Arts Librarian, Frederick & Kazuko Harris Arts Collection, Ohio University
Judy Donovan, Art Librarian, Honickman Art Library, The Barnes Foundation
Jamie Lausch Vander Broek, Learning Librarian/Exhibits and Programming Librarian, University of Michigan
Amanda H. Brown, Special Collections Instruction Librarian, University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
Megan Lotts, Art Librarian, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Jill E. Luedke, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Art Subject Specialist / German Studies, Temple University Libraries
Moderator:Annette Haines, Art & Design Field Librarian, Art, Architecture & Engineering Library, University of Michigan
One of our primary goals as librarians is to stimulate and engage people with our services and collections toward furthering creative and scholarly work. Traditionally we do this through library instruction, exhibits, and hosting events. One of the distinct challenges art librarians face is getting studio artists and designers through our doors. The work of an art history scholar seems more adapted to the scholarly atmosphere of quiet book stacks, but for many reasons the studio artist or designer, particularly the undergraduate student, is less inclined toward engaging with libraries. One recent phenomenon in the library world involves empowering users by giving them opportunities to shape their libraries collections through patron-driven acquisitions.
This panel session will explore ways in which art librarians use similar strategies of engagement to empower artists. Panelists will present the innovative means they have used to interact and connect with studio artists by tapping into their creative nature and empowering them to contribute their energy and unique talents toward transforming library spaces. Librarians are not just opening up the library as exhibition areas, but getting students to engage with the collections and spaces by curating exhibits from library collections, displaying library materials in conjunction with their own art and design, and using their design talents to enliven library environments. Panelists will discuss their experiences working with students, the problems they may have encountered, and ways in which librarians can encourage creative student involvement with the library to the benefit of all parties.
