Museums inspire @ your library

Contact: Megan McFarlane


Campaign Coordinator


312-280-2148


mmcfarlane@ala.org

For Immediate Release


November 18, 2008

Museums inspire @ your library

CHICAGO - Museums and libraries have always been places of inspiration.

Six year ago This Century Art Gallery approached the Williamsburg (Va.) Regional Library to collaborate on a series of art appreciation programs. Housed in a turn of the century Sears, Roebuck and Co., the gallery didn’t have the space to accommodate a large group of art enthusiasts. However, the library, with a 268 seat auditorium, could.

In the beginning, the library hosted 2-3 “Centuries of art @ your library” programs a year. The response was so strong that the library now hosts eight programs annually. Topics range from “The History of Soviet Realism,” “19th-Century French Animalier Sculptures” and “American Realist Painters of the Early 20th Century.” Lecturers are provided through the gallery’s partnership program with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA). The gallery also hosts a reception after the program where library users visit with local and regional artists and enjoy refreshments.

“There is a lot of energy and enthusiasm for these events,” said program services director, Patrick Golden. “The @ your library,’ brand has been a wonderful resource to draw on and market this program.”

In addition to “Centuries of art @ your library,” the library also hosts “3rd Thursday @ your library,” a series of lectures including author talks, hobbies discussions and other pastimes.

The Campaign for America's Libraries (
www.ala.org/@yourlibrary) is ALA's public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand.The Campaign is made possible in part by ALA’s Library Champions, ALA’s highest level of corporate members.