What the heck is going on with the grant and other library news

Let's see . . . since the last post, the contracts for the library software and for the retrospective conversion have been signed; we've received the library server and other hardware; a software company representative has been on site for two days to set up implementation parameters; getting the job description posted for the grant-funded library position; and next week, another software person will be here to install the server! We are rolling! Please excuse the glazed look in my eyes.

File under new experiences: We tried but did not get a book we bid on at a Sotheby's auction in London. Many thanks to the Delhom Service League, especially Betty Holland and Caroline Gray, for their incredible support in our mutual attempt to get this specific title. Much was learned in the process!

New titles keep coming! Here are a few which may be of interest:

• Georgia O'Keeffe: Circling Around Abstraction - Jonathan's book! And the first exhibition to focus on her circular abstract forms and their significance in American art.


• By Hand: the Use of Craft in Contemporary Art - "From Kiki Smith's lovingly etched birds to dynamo-ville's one-of-a-kind puppets to Barb Hunt's knitted land mines to Evil Twin's hand-bound publications, today's art revels in the care and consideration of craft." What do you think?


• A Life on Paper: the Drawings and Lithographs of JohnThomas Biggers - May well be the essential work on this artist. The author worked with Biggers over the last thirteen years of his life and later with his widow. Many of the works depicted - and selected by Biggers before his death - have never before been published for a general audience.


• In the Hands of African American Collectors: the Personal Treasures of Bernard & Shirley Kinsey - The catalog for the exhibition of this significant collection of documents and works of art from a couple with a remarkable collective vision.


• Frederic Church, Winslow Homer and Thomas Moran: Tourism and the American Landscape - A gorgeous celebration of American art in an exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt.


• The Dinner Party: From Creation to Preservation - A brand new publication, rich in detail, about the iconic feminist art work which finally has a permanent home at the Brooklyn Museum. Brilliant and enduring.
  

You may have noticed all the bins and boxes in the library over the last month. These are all from a single donation - from local appraiser Laurie Triplette who is moving to Mississippi. Her donation included her own collection of artist files, particularly her files on North Carolina artists. The donation is a huge addition to the library collection. Laurie, thank you again and you will be missed. And a shout-out to Kurt and William for being the muscle for the pickup and to Leah for helping when we got back here. Thank you all!

Last but not least dept.: Look out for a new 3-part series on PBS called Craft in America. It's a series, an exhibition and a book! Check out the website and view the streaming video preview featuring Sam Maloof at www.craftinamerica.org. Check local listings for the series which is to start in May.