Art galleries in the library
| Pages | 566-568 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-08-2017-0083 |
| Published date | 10 October 2017 |
| Date | 10 October 2017 |
| Author | Bruce Massis |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library & information services |
COMMENTARY
Art galleries in the library
Bruce Massis
Columbus State Community College, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this study is to report that the library has recognized the benefit to the
communityof including art gallery space in the library.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper is a literature review andcommentary on this topic that
has been addressedby professionals,researchers and practitioners.
Findings –Exposure to artin the library can open and expand worlds that mightnever have been available
to some andcan provide the populace with greater accessdirectly in their own community.
Originality/value –The value in exploring thistopic is to provide libraries that may not have considered
includingan art gallery in their libraries to consider the possibilityof doing so.
Keywords Libraries, Artists, Art, Communities, Sponsorship, Galleries
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
In the USA, the federal agency known as the Institute of Museum and Library Services
(IMLS) defines its missionas follows:
The mission of IMLS is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning
and cultural and civic engagement. We provide leadership through research, policy development
and grant-making (Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2017).
The inspiration and grant-making offered by this agency provides the leadership on a national
level to encourage libraries and museums of all types (including art museums) to collaborate
and offer the most relevant and comprehensive programs to communities across the country.
There are many libraries, including public, special, corporate and university that have
built or renovated spaces to createart galleries in their libraries to expand the offerings most
appealing to its localusers, and to engage them with their libraries:
With their place at the center of the community and the free, democratic access people have to
libraries, they make a perfect place to show art, in addition to helping artists make and distribute
it. Showing work in a library is an opportunity to connect with a huge cross section of people [...]
Basically, everyone in the community –including folks who might never see a modern art
installation otherwise. And if the point of art is to make someone feel something, it’s best to get it
out there in the open where it can do its job (Batykefer, 2014).
Connecting with artists in the community
“The library is an easily accessible community gathering place which makes it an ideal
public venue for displaying art”(Heights Libraries, 2016). Collaborations between libraries
Declaration: The author declares that there is no potential conflict of interest in the research.
ILS
118,9/10
566
Received14 August 2017
Revised14 August 2017
Accepted14 August 2017
Informationand Learning Science
Vol.118 No. 9/10, 2017
pp. 566-568
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2398-5348
DOI 10.1108/ILS-08-2017-0083
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