Art Among Books

The next time you come into the library, please take the time to browse the shelves.  Not just for that special book but to enjoy the bronze sculptures placed throughout the library as well.  In honor of the Haltom City Public Library’s 50^th birthday celebration, Sculptureworks_tm  Library Exhibit is featuring the works of ten renowned sculptors.  The bronze sculptures are displayed throughout the library, each equally beautiful and yet so unique.  This is the third time that Sculptureworks_tm of Hurst, TX has had an exhibit at the Haltom City Public Library and I know it won’t be the last. 

My favorite is the "Library Cat", no, it’s the one titled “Free Sprite,” or it is the sculpture of the eagle?  I still haven’t seen them all; I think there are thirty, so I guess I don’t really know my favorite yet.  Which one is your favorite?  You can either send us a comment or submit the name of your favorite sculpture to: libraryblogmistress@gmail.com.

The sculpture titled “Crane Query” by Karryl is a permanent resident of the library and can be found maintaining order in the library’s Board Room.   The other pieces of art will be displayed for the next three months.

If you pick up the free brochure on the Sculptureworks_tm Library Exhibit, you will find the names of the sculptors as well as some pictures of them working.  Visit their website: www.gobronze.com and learn how a sculpture in the clay stage becomes a bronze statue. 

Keep Saturday, March 12^th marked on your calendar.  The library is having its Celebrating 50 Years of Reading and Rocking from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the library’s parking lot.  It’s going to be a 1960 style birthday party and it is free to the public. There will be snacks, bounce house, puppet show, and Home Depot’s “Kid’s Workshop”,  free trees (until we run out), games, Fire Safety House, and multiple displays and demonstrations.  I guarantee you won’t run out of things to do or see.

LIBRARY MEMORIES

After reading about the Haltom City Public Library’s 50^th birthday this year, my thoughts traveled back in time to the first day I went to the library as a child.  I was seven.  I remember thinking that I had walked into a magical place made out of books of all sizes and all colors.   There had to be thousands of them!  I felt so overwhelmed and scared.   How would I ever be able to read all of them?  Of course there weren’t really thousands of books.  But there were enough that I wanted to run away at first. I didn’t though. Instead I decided that I was going to read as many as I could.  One problem that I hadn't counted on was that this magical place called a public library was truly magical.  New books kept showing up on the shelves.  Still, I think I managed to read all of the children’s books.

Then I graduated to the section that held the adult books.  I knew then that I would never be able to read all of them.  But that made me feel happy and safe.  It meant there would always be enough books to offer me solace, entertainment, tears, travel, experiences, laughter and knowledge.

I also remember how grownup and special I felt when I was given my very own library card.  The only other card that made me feel as grown up was when I got my driver’s license.  I still never leave home without my driver’s license and my library card.

How did you feel the first time you went to the library?  I’m sure you have fond memories too so why not share a few of them with us? You can e-mail your written memories, no more than 200 words please, to: libraryblogmistress@gmail.com.   Be sure to include your name and phone number.  We might want to publish your piece in the Library blog! Plus, it will be good practice for all of you who are going to enter the Library’s 11^th Annual Writing Contest!  Remember, the deadline for submissions for the writing contest is May 31, 2011.  You can find more information about the contest on the Library’s website.

Don’t forget to sign the Library’s Memory Book the next time you visit! 
Happy Reading!