The WSU Vancouver library houses various pieces of art, yet not many students know the stories behind the works.
“It represents the world around us and the ways of knowledge that ties in interestingly to research,” said WSU Vancouver reference librarian, Sam Lohmann.
Lohmann said, “Our library director, Karen Diller, does a lot of research on library spaces and how it might be beneficial to people in the library and so it [the library] is shaped around that.”
According to Lohmann, the art on the walls are permanent. However, the artwork in the display boxes located near the library entrance rotate every two to three months and are designed by the librarians. Harrison Higgs, a WSU Vancouver fine arts professor, designs the 10 display cases scattered throughout the library, with case contents changing throughout the year.
Higgs, when explaining the display collaboration at the front of the library, said he found eye-catching books and wanted them on display. Higgs wanted to make sure students would notice.
“The library is a much different space than any gallery, you know. It’s the place where I’d have all nighters but end up not studying for the final and just perusing the library shelves and discovering subjects I didn’t know existed,” Higgs said. “That sense of curiosity has stuck with me, so I want the library to have that same kind of feeling.”
According to Higgs, students can expect a new collection in October and will remain on display until winter break. The spring library display will showcase items from students and the kids in the Child Development Program.
“The artwork on the walls are more or less permanent and all have some relation to the campus. They don’t really belong to a collection, just different things on different walls,” Lohmann said.
In the back of the library, next to the windows, two plaques on the wall explain the art outside. The basalt rocks located behind the library, titled Opening The Secret, tell a story in Braille. The plaques on the library wall that explain the story inscribed on the rocks are written in Braille as well, meaning only those who can read Braille can understand the story.
The library also features artwork by students and artwork created by kids in the Child Development Program on campus.
Also toward the back of the library, near the study rooms, four floral art pieces decorate the white wall. The art, donated by the WSU class of 1977, is in memory of WSU alumnus John Nelson.
Lohmann noted how the WSU Vancouver library remains open on weekends and evenings. He added, “I would love them [students] to know that we’re available, we’re friendly and we love to answer questions.”
I’m going to travel the whole world, learn everything about it, and then write about it.