Picturing America for Public Libraries

Clearwater is a small rural community and has limited access to the Arts. The posters provided a wonderful way to introduce library patrons to their cultural heritage. This is one of the best grants this small library has ever received.

Every two weeks, the Clearwater Public Library would display two posters, chosen either for their similarities or their contrasts. An information sheet/questionnaire, which included background information from each work and a set of questions that would inspire a "closer look”, would be given to patrons. The first display, using this format, was Joseph Stella's THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE, and Walker Evan's THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE, NEW YORK. The related theme of the painting and the photograph made an excellent introduction to this library program.
In addition to the two-week displays, the library also used the posters for special events, such as the celebration of the NAACP Centennial and the Abraham Lincoln Bi-centennial. During the Lincoln Bi-Centennial celebration, for example, the library used the Alexander Gardner photograph as the focal point for a Lincoln display.

Submitted by Mary Hollis Troup