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Using Picturing America art for summer reading program

Fri, 06/12/2009 - 13:59 — Kathy Ness

I was lucky enough this year to have a summer reading program theme of "Be Creative @ Your Library" so using the posters fit right in. We have placed 10 around the room where we do all the programs and my summer assistants have made "I Spy" questions that the kid find. We will change the posters throughout the summer. We also have a visiting artist series featuring area artists and they refer to the posters. The posters are all in our catalog and will be avialable for checkout when we are finished with them.

My only complaint would be that the portfolio that holds them is hard to look through to pull out any one poster. We have to figure out how to display them and make them easy for patrons to browse and check out. With our space limitations this is a big challenge.

‹ Using the art to highlight parts of the library's print collections Great time with 2 art prints - American Landscape and Cityscape ›
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 16:19 — marian-wynn

Be Creative @ Your Library :)

I was thrilled when our application was approved. We are also using the posters in conjunction with our Summer Reading Program.

The display can be a little tricky because the posters have to have support behind them if you are going to use an easel. If you hang them, you can use thumb tacks. Although, you may not want the holes (even small ones) in your walls.

A couple of years ago, I purchased some wooden lattice sheets and some 1 inch x 2 inch x 8 feet strips for framing the lattice. You can get them at any Lowes or other home improvement type store. They usually come in 8' x 8' sheets. I had them cut down to 6' high and varying widths panels. Then placed 2 hinges (one top and one bottom) to connect two panels. I also put hook and eye connectors on the opposite sides so that I can attach the hinged panels to each other.

I use them in two ways:
They can be connected all the way around my room to create a wall that protects and hides the "stuff" that is in the room when it is not being used for summer reading projects.

Or I can un-attach the hinged panels and use the panels alone. They sort of resemble an open book when they are used like this.

Some of them have white or black paper behind the lattice for aesthetic purposes. Some have paste board or card board covered in white or black paper. These are like bulletin boards. I can use push pins or tacks to display artwork.

I hope this helps a little and maybe give you some ideas about what will work for you. :)

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