Art in the Library

The Kelley Library has long offered local artists space to showcase their artwork in a variety of ways. The Greater Salem Artists Association, which meets regularly at the library, hangs artwork of its members in the Beshara Room. This provides an ever-changing backdrop to activities in the room, an opportunity for us all to enjoy some great original art, and gives the membership of GSAA a venue to display. We also provide space for the GSAA annual event and exhibit in December. In late May/early June, the Beshara Room and lobby area is transformed into a gallery for the artwork of the students of the Salem school district. Larry Welch, a local artist, has a constant, and constantly changing, selection of his artwork on display up in the New Book area.

I had talked previously about the new nook off the Reference Department providing display space for local artists and finally someone has taken the opportunity. Kyle Massie, a 17 year old from Windham has a variety of his artwork on display this month. He is a bit of a prodigy in art and produces his works in no more than a couple of hours. This is the second time his artwork has been displayed, and it is well worth a moment to take a look.


March was Youth Art Month, and in honor of that, we asked children to bring in their artwork for display. We got some wonderful pieces, and you should make the Children's Room the next stop on your art tour of the library. Do it soon as these pieces of art will be reclaimed all too soon.





And we are all excited about the new art show coming up in May in honor of Older Americans Month. There is an art class over at the Senior Center taught by Angie Sparta and we are delighted at the opportunity to display some of the artwork of the students. It is sure to be a feast for your eyes, so stop by and enjoy.

There is still plenty of display space, so if you are artistic or know an artist and want to display at the library, just let me know. We would be delighted.

Oh, and save this date: Saturday, June 26th at 1PM. Marcia Harris will be giving a demonstration of watercoloring. Remember, you can display what you learned at the Library.

Have you met Elizabeth?

Recently I did a posting about Betty, who has been with the library for years and years. Today, I thought I would talk about one of our newest members of the staff - Elizabeth. Actually, we are closing in on her first year anniversary, but at Kelley, any tenure under 10 years is a newby.

Elizabeth joined us in the reference department and has been a lively addition to the staff. She has a ready laugh, but is serious when dealing with the various questions and requests for help with the computer that she fields each day. I am sure is was an adjustment joining us here at Kelley, a new job, a new state, and most of the staff being years older. But it speaks to her friendly, outgoing nature that she has fitted smoothly into the team.

In addition to her responsibilities at the reference desk and as part of the Teen Department, you might find her leading one of our computer classes. She also maintains our Facebook page and is in the process of developing our Teen page. Obviously, she has quickly become invaluable.

I of course asked her the 5 Questions:

1. Complete the sentence: When I am not at the library, you can find me: at a concert.
2. Describe your perfect day: Time with family and/or friends, a nice meal, live music, and time spent in nature.
3. If you had to live somewhere else than MA, where would it be? Elsewhere in New England.
4. What three things can you always find in your fridge? Yogurt, carrots, and some sort of bean or grain-based dish.
5. You would be surprised to find out that: as a child, my grandfather shook the hand of a woman who had shaken the hand of Abraham Lincoln.