The Artist's Library: A Field Guide

by Laura Damon-Moore, Erinn Batykefer, Jessica Pigza (Foreword)

Creativity, like information, is free to everyone who steps into a library. The Artist's Library offers the idea that an artist is any person who uses creative tools to make new things, and the guidance and resources to make libraries of all sizes and shapes come alive as spaces for art-making and cultural engagement. Case studies included in the book range from the crafty (pop-up books) to the community-minded (library galleries) to documentary (photo projects) to the technically complex ("listening" to libraries via Dewey decimal frequencies). The Library as Incubator Project was created by Erinn Batykefer, Laura Damon-Moore, and Christina Endres. It highlights the ways that libraries and artists can work together, and works to strengthen these partnerships. By calling attention to one of the many reasons libraries are important to our communities and our culture, it provides a dynamic online forum for sharing ideas. Erinn Batykefer is a librarian, a writer, and a lifelong do-it-yourselfer. She earned an MFA in writing and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her first poetry collection, Allegheny, Monongahela , won the Benjamin Saltman Poetry Prize. Laura Damon-Moore is a librarian, blogger, and avid art-maker in her spare time. Laura received her master's degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2012. Jessica Pigza is the assistant curator in the New York Public Library's Rare Book Division. She also writes on handmade material culture, DIY, and handicrafts at Hand-Made Librarian .

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Books About Books, Librarianship, Crafts, Education, Library Science

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good look at ways artists (visual artists, performing artists, musicians, etc) can use public libraries as resources and inspiration. The first half was the most interesting for me and had some great journaling/creativity prompts that I'll be trying.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another new book exploring the area of artists/makers and libraries. The writers of the book manage the excellent Library as incubator project blog. There is a scarcity of writing in this area and this book makes a helpful contribution.

This book seems to be written for library clients/artists/makers, but it can also be used as a source of inspiration and ideas for library staff when developing programs, services and partnerships. There are many examples of how artists work with libraries. There is useful information about copyright and online resources. They explore the "inherently inspiring nature of libraries". Does this describe your library?

The poem by Joseph Mills called If librarians were honest gains a worthy inclusion.

Much of the material has been covered on their blog, but this book bring it together well. The chapters have different themes exploring diverse sources of inspiration and ideas, often within the library. The chapters also include the work of artists relevant to the points being made, and some exercises which artists/makers can do, or which libraries could run as programs or services.

It would work well as a companion volume to Bibliocraft by Jessica Pigza

[September Michaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of all the hours I spent as a teenager digging around my hometown library looking for inspiration to keep me going. I vaguely remember being impressed by the wide variety of topics in the non-fiction section and thinking "This is awesome. Why are there not more people here?" I also remember thinking "I wish there were bigger tables" and "Where is the snack machine?"

So this book was a bit of a nostalgia bomb for me. I work in a library now and I still love browsing the stacks, but I don't think I get the same delight from "stumbling upon something" as I used to before I knew where everything was--before I was the one ordering and shelving everything.

So, I think I read this book more as an employee than as a patron. Seeing how others listed in the book found creativity in their libraries made me contemplate how I could incite creativity in my own. What programs or displays could I make that would catalyst conversation and creative thinking? (I really like the idea of finding a way to record data about patrons' opinions of the books they check out. Sort of like a real life Goodreads that could also be useful when ordering new books.)

I think I would have adored this book had I read it before I started working in a library--before some of the mystery had been unveiled to me. But, I like that this book can help me create a better sandbox learning environment for others.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book,edited by Laura Damon-Moore and Erinn Battykefer, with an introduction by Jessica Pigza, was published in 2014 by Coffee House Press but it didn’t come across my radar until recently when I happened upon the website Library as Incubator when I changed jobs and started at a different library and was gathering ideas for adult programs.

This book is cataloged in Dewey with the primary subject heading(s) of Libraries and Libraries and community or Libraries cultural resources. After taking my time looking this book over during the past week or so, I really love the ideas it offers to artists. It reminds artists to utilize their local library for inspiration, as a possible site for displaying their art and broaches the topic of the artist partnering with the public library to increase awareness of the arts in their community.

As a former children’s and teen librarian, I would use some of these activities with library patrons. One of my favorite sections is entitled Additional Library-Based Creativity Exercises (pgs 194-195) because I love each of the ideas but I’ll highlight one: Make Lists because it includes - Favorite books from childhood; Favorite illustrators and Places and locations from your favorite childhood books.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really nice little book. I gobbled it right up. It's clear and well written, expertly edited, the whole shebang. The size and layout appeal to me and I'm sure I would have appreciated it even if my own library weren't featured in one of the chapters! I'm amazed at how the art-in-libraries movement has exploded and grateful for how the positive recognition and press has resulted in folks taking another look at libraries. There were a couple of brief mentions of shrinking library budgets and I would have liked to see a little more about how the symbiotic relationship between the library collections and artistic discovery needs to be supported. The collection budget at my library as at many libraries across the nation is historically low. Support your libraries and the world is better for it.

[Kassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring the creative aspect of libraries, this book guides both artists and libraries in collaboration.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely written from the hippie Librarian's perspective...which is possibly why I had a difficult time reading it the first time, BUT...IT is definitely worth a look.
It talks about as a librarian or even a library patron, checking out the art in the world around you (whether its avenues like the performing arts, architecture, history in terms of paintings or local art), plus it gives TONS of creative ideas of how to implement these ideas and personal activities into plausible and hopefully successful art programs for ALL ages (adults, kids, teens) and I love that there is a book that says there's more to doing art in the library than recreating famous artists' work or doing crafts...Art is so much more than that. But its a really good resource (once you figure out the writer's flow of her thoughts on paper).

[Leah Beecher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good informational book for anyone who volunteers or works at a public library. It takes a look at how to incorporate the arts into a traditional library setting. Not all of the ideas were applicable to the small library I am a part of, nor am I an artist, though I believer in the power of the arts for the greater good of any community.
Overall, a solid book with good information that would serve any reader who wants to expand his or her library.

[Valerie Arena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ideal for librarians or those studying library science gives a lot of thought-provoking information on the depth and breadth of library potential. Not extremely exciting, but would be more so in the hands of it's audience. As a visual artist, I did not feel entirely inspired by it.

[Bobbi Galvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another one I really, really wanted to like. It is a great idea for a book, but it's not something I'm interested in doing. Finding art in the library is always amazing, even if the subject isn't usually art. This is one of those topics I'd like others to do for me to enjoy.

[Kaitlyn Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so full of inspiration and creativity, i made so many jot notes on stickies. I’ll have to try to read it again just to see what else I can squeeze out of it.
If you are an artist and/or you have an affinity with libraries like myself, you will like this.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of interesting.

[A'isha Rahman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Interesting, but a little dated.

[Maryam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for Art Librarians or who is writing a research paper on Art Libraries. As an Art Librarian Assistance, I can see the sort of ways and ideas to help assist the patron in visual resources.

I enjoyed reading and relate things.

[Debra Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some really inspiring ideas to get your creativity going using libraries.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A loving look at libraries. A gift for your local librarian or anyone who seeks- art, books, solace and knowledge.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The library is a place to connect & create"...this book highlights the many ways libraries and artists can work together to incubate creativity.

They define an artist as someone who learns and uses creative tools and techniques to make new things.

"Creativity, like information is free to everyone who steps into a library Wherever you are in your artistic development - from finger painting during story time to researching themes for an interactive museum installation - the library can help you nurture and "incubate" your growth as a creative person."

1). Exploring the Library as Subject
2). Finding Inspiration in Library Collections
3). Using the Library for Creative Research
4). Using the Library as a Space to Work
5). Using the Library as an Arts Venue
6). Creating Successful Programming Partnerships with Libraries
7). Using the Library to Build your Arts Organization or Business

[Matthew Hundley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libraries are places for exploration and discovery. For artists, writers, musicians, film makers and all who employ creativity into life (which would be all of us) the library becomes a place of inspiration. Many times the library is a necessary extension of who we are. "The Artist's Library" offers many ideas for jump starting your exploration, getting to know your library, expanding understanding, and using the library as an avenue to channel artistic expression. I have long been a fan of libraries. It was great to hear the testimonies of others who also live and love their libaries. And to see a book encouraging others to do the same.

[Lincoln Public · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and enlightening title which aims to encourage artists to use and interact with their local library in a number of ways. Anyone would love to peruse this book to learn about how the artists chose to make the library part of their creative life.

[Erin]

I need to buy this book so I can stop hoarding the library copy!

[Kendra]

http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/201...

[Mills College Library]

021.2 D163 2014

[Tanya Procknow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some neat ways to think about the library. I really liked the one essay written about what y find in the library.

[Mystistar115 The Bookist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a research essay I am writing and it was most definitely what I was looking for. I enjoyed it a lot and there are many ideas for new ways to use your library. Get creative!

[Libra1bk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. Mostly liked the images/photos/drawings and exercises in the book. Always appreciative of the resources section at the back of a book.

[Laura-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually read this one twice. Am working on starting an Artist's Library at Artists and Makers and looking for inspiration. Need to stop looking for inspiration and start cataloguing.