Magical entry to children’s library

As a part of our library project, we had envisioned a very distinct entrance to our children’s department.  We wanted it to be crystal clear where the circulation area ended and the children’s space began.  Our goal was to draw people in and convey, with art, exactly where young people would find a space created just for them.  (After all, many of them can’t read just yet so a sign isn’t necessarily the most effective tool.)

Our art committee recently solicited proposals from artists and had seven extremely high quality submissions.    In the end, the committee selected local artist Jorn Mork who submitted a proposal that called for her collaboration with craftsman, Bill Bale, of Sandhill Designs.

The piece calls for some animals made from wood cutouts as well as wood panels with layered oil painting.   Working together, Jorn and Bill are creating that magical entryway we had envisioned.

Here are a couple of photos to give you a glimpse of what’s coming…very soon.

Artist Jorn Mork shows progress on her library panels for children's entry

Ann Engelman with Bill Bale's wood cutouts for Jorn Mork's children's entry

Stunning Library Spaces

Thanks to Uihlein-Wilson Architects, photojournalist Michael Kienitz visited our library recently.   I don’t think words are necessary to tell this particular story.  Here are a few of his extraordinary images:

Dwight Foster Public Library (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Youth department in 2010 building (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Spiral staircase wraps around 1931 building (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Stairway to knowledge (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Fun Library Spaces

Teen space (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Youth department (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Upside down tree! (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Doorway to magical storytimes (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Quiet Library Spaces

Doors to our quiet area (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Looking into 1916 quiet reading area (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Jones Gallery - formerly the circulation area (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Study and reference space (Photo by Michael Kienitz courtesy of Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

Library’s outdoor sculpture has undercurrent of meaning

Installation of library's outdoor sculpture

The library’s outdoor sculpture entitled “Undercurrent” was recently installed by a team of people led by Gail Simpson and Aristotle Georgiades of Actual Size Artworks of Stoughton, Wisconsin and included Dean Allen of Dean Allen Studios.  For several days, the artists poured concrete, measured and drilled things, and generally looked more like construction guys than artists.  Who knew that artists needed to have an exceptional understanding of math, landscaping, and fabrication techniques…and a sense of humor, too?

I remain impressed with the vision that Gail and Aris have of their art.  They want it to be life-size, interactive, thought-provoking, and fun.  It is all that and more!

They added library-related quotations to the top of the pieces this week.  Several of them can only be read if you move around to the back  of the sculptures (unless you can read upside down like a good children’s librarian).  What a clever way to engage people.

Come visit us and view the art.  In fact, you can do more than look; you can sit right down on our sculpture and experience it.  Have a seat and read the carefully selected quotations while pondering the meaning of libraries, or reading, or life.

Here is the story that Gail and Aris provided about their sculpture:

“Undercurrent” is inspired by the beautiful horizontal lines of the Library and by the presence of the Rock River in this community.  The curving pattern made by the clay-tiled roof and the repeating arches in the architectural design were our point of departure.   The flowing lines reminded us of the surface of moving water, a composition that is hypnotic and visually pleasing. We wanted to design a sculpture that would create a sense of contemplation and discovery, and also to express one of the unique aspects of Fort Atkinson.

The form of the sculpture appears as a flowing horizontal element to be located in the green space outside the building.   The structure is composed of gently rolling silver bands that react with light and shadow and will take on different appearances depending on the time of day and season. The sculpture will interact with the landscaping and provide seating when weather permits.  The silver bands rise and fall like water over boulders.  During overcast days the brushed finish of the aluminum will take on a cool appearance; in the sun the silver finish will glow brightly.  In the winter, snow will mound in sculpted drifts on the sculpture, creating a beautiful, contemplative experience year round.  The granite boulders used in the sculpture are of Wisconsin origin.

The unique design of the Library inspired our wish to help unite this building to this exceptional place.  We feel that the expressive qualities of “Undercurrent” are well suited to the role of the Library in the community and will enhance the experience of the library for the residents, volunteers and staff.   

Smile and the world smiles with you…or at least the library staff does

Syd and Marguerite Boyer (Photo courtesy of Ryan Whisner of the Daily Jefferson County Union)

I was looking through the photos from our donor sneak preview event and thought this was a perfect one to share.  Two of my favorite people are here, posing outside the study room named after them.   Look at their smiles!   They are smiling because they are happy about the library expansion.   They are smiling because they are pleased they were able to contribute funds to help our project in a significant way.  They are smiling because they have a study room named in their honor.  They are smiling because that’s what they do.  They have come in to our library, year after year, and spread sunshine beyond measure to our staff.  Many times they even bring chocolate along with their smiles.

I can’t tell you how important those smiles have been, particularly over the last year which has been exhausting in so many ways for our library staff.

The appreciation on the part of the Boyers and all the others who come in and say “thank you” or “this library is very special” or “we are so lucky” is an unbelievable source of inspiration.  And, quite frankly, much needed right now.

Syd and Marguerite have shown us how to live, with laughter and generosity, with appreciation and interest, with chocolate and smiles.   How lucky we are to know them!

Open house today!

The library’s open house is today from 1 to 5 p.m.  Come and see our beautiful new space.  We’ll have most rooms open, including the bookdrop room so you can get a peek behind the scenes.   It’s a great chance to ask staff questions and to experience and enjoy the remade Dwight Foster Public Library.    There is no Packer game today, so what better way is there to spend the afternoon?

So many thanks, so little time

Some of my favorite guys...rejuvenating at break time!

Next week we begin our move back to our newly renovated and expanded library.

It’s been a whirlwind of activity for ten solid months. Time to say a few words of thanks.

Kudos to Joe Daniels Construction Co. and all the subcontractors for their commitment to our project, their attention to detail, and their outstanding workmanship.  They have taken an extraordinarily complex job and tackled it the way Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews meets opponents…with energy and determination.

The architectural team at Uihlein Wilson Architects expertly led by Del Wilson has worked diligently and tirelessly on our behalf, especially Troy Wohlt.  Their library team envisioned a magnificent library for Fort Atkinson and then made it happen.

The library staff deserves more thanks than I have words for.  They’ve all gone above and beyond and then some.

The city and the library board were always there…providing vision and encouragement, support and insight.

The volunteers have lent the helping hands we’ve needed, whenever we’ve needed the assistance.

The donors delivered for us by giving funds when the economic woes were deep and wide.

Thanks to *everyone* who has helped make our library story include such an exciting and important chapter!  If I forgot to mention you, my apologies.  It’s surely not for lack of gratitude.

Stay tuned to see the results of all that hard work; we will be opening to the public at our new library on Tuesday, February 1.

Buy a piece of library history

As our project nears completion, we have started to think about moving back home.   We’ve inventoried what’s going back and what’s not and are now selling the items that are being retired from library service such as book shelves, tables, chairs, and desks.    We’re doing this via an online auction site called Ready Set Auction.   We’d love to find new homes for all of our stuff!  Bid early and often and take home a piece of library history while helping support our library.

A matter of perspective

The front of the stained glass as seen in the future new books area

The back of the stained glass as seen from my office

Wow.  They have installed the stained glass piece designed and created by Rudy Bushcott.  Rudy is Fort Atkinson’s assistant city engineer.  He gave the library this work of art a number of years ago.  We had it hanging up high, way above our checkout desk.  It was the best spot we could find for it in our old library due to space constraints.    Many people remarked on its beauty over the years.  But just as many people may never have noticed it because the placement and lighting didn’t do it justice.

When we cleaned out the old library, Rudy kindly came in and boxed it up for us so we could transport it to safety because we had plans to reuse it in our new library.

Not too long ago I got a call from site superintendent, Tom Laufenberg.  He said they were ready for it.  So back to the library it went for installation as the window to the director’s office.   The front side faces the new books area; the back side is in my office.  It’s eye level and the light shines through the glass providing the stunning view you see in the photos.

You will notice the view in my office is better than the view from the public side.  I actually asked Tom (as politely and carefully as possible)  if they’d installed it backwards.  He smiled at me and said, “No, Connie, we knew you’d want the front side facing the public.  We asked Rudy which was the front before we installed it.”   He showed me that the cables running down the backside determine orientation.  The difference, of course, is the lighting.  Because my office lights were not fully installed, the darkness of my office lent itself to the perfect viewing of stained glass.  The light from behind illuminates the piece giving it unbelievable depth and richness.  In fact, I could hardly imagine something more beautiful. The first time I saw it I found myself speechless.

In life, as in art, perspective matters.  The stained glass is the same as it has been since the day we first hung it years ago.  But looking at it in a different place changes everything.   When you look at anything in life from another angle you may notice something you missed before.  When you are in the midst of difficulties, it helps to remember that sometimes you actually need darkness before light shines through and repaints your picture.  In my own life, I’ve found that you just have to keep looking until you find the view that yields clarity.  This library project was years in the making and would not have moved forward if many people hadn’t had faith that our library could be expanded and redefined, much like a fully illuminated work of art, because it was brought forward during a very dark economic time.

I’m forever grateful to everyone who shared in the vision and helped.  When all is said and done, libraries are about helping people find their best view of life.   They allow someone to step inside and right into the shoes of another.  They teach people to reach.  They inform, educate, enlighten.  They afford unlimited opportunities for growth.

A library can not only change your perspective, it can change you.

Thank you for helping foster growth in such a beautiful way, Rudy.