Exhibits as Programming: it can be easier than you think!

Several of the books and articles that I've been reading on Adult Programming suggest that a good opportunity for cultural programming is to have an exhibit. Your library can bolster its circulation by displaying books that correspond with the exhibit's subject matter. Robertson (2005) says to "think of an exhibition as a theme or framework for related programming" (p. 49). She also suggests sources for traveling exhibitions (p. 49) such as:

ALA Public Programs Office (http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/programming/currentpublic.cfm)

Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES); (http://www.sites.si.edu/)

One that we have used at my own library is TRACES (http://www.traces.org/mobileexhibits-new.html)

This traveling Bus-eum arrives at your doorstep ready to go. The exhibits are based on WWII history; we have had the Bus-eum visit our doorstep twice and would love to have them visit again. The patrons tour the Bus-eum which includes a talk by the tour leader/driver. We have had school classes walk over from our middle school and adults tour the exhibit between the school visits. Last year we read The Reader by Bernhard Schlink prior to the visit. Although the book did not exactly match the exhibit it did lend an opportunity to invite those patrons to the exhibit.

Does the idea of inviting a traveling exhibit intimidate you? Then think smaller.

I realized that my library has been having exhibits of a sort every year simply by displaying children's artwork during the Christmas season. The seniors in the area enjoy seeing the library decorated for the holiday and the children bring their parents in to find their art. Last summer we invited the school art teachers to provide artwork for display during the summer reading program. Again, we found that this became an event for the older adults in our community to come in and view. They really enjoyed seeing the talents of our young people on display and we also had many young families visiting the library to find their child's artwork. While we didn't tie this to a specific adult program it did provide a sense of community while they were on display. It was so well received that we will be decorating our library with children's artwork again this summer. Now I have to start thinking about how this can be developed into a program for adults. Maybe a multigenerational event with grandparents in a make-it and take-it art event.

Another way to use local talent for exhibits is to pluck some displays from the groups that are using your meeting spaces. For example, we have quilters and artist groups. A future program for us would be to pair an exhibit of quilts or local art with a workshop or two. One of the members of these groups might be willing to teach their art and this would be a program for the library involving only the cost of supplies.

See it really can be easier than we think. But it would also help to read through some of the planning guides that I have discussed in earlier posts for the fine tuning.


Sources

Robertson, D. A. (2005). Cultural programming for libraries: Linking libraries, community & culture. Chicago: American Library Association.