The big assignment that sent many of Friday's students into the CRC library was one related to art. The students were to find a few pictures of paintings by either the artists listed in the assignment (the usual suspects--Picasso, Miro, Van Gogh, et al.) or an artist of their choice. Using the style of the artist, the students are to draw a cartoon.
Talk about teachable moments! As the students filtered in, I went through how to look up books using the online catalog, then explained how to find which books were available at the CRC library, and finally how to find these available books on the shelf. Since these were art books, some of them were kept with the glut of circulating books on the second floor (actually the half floor upstairs in CRC's case) and some of them were shelved with the oversized books on the main floor of the library.
The big gap in the collection came when one student wanted a book about Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. We couldn't find
any books in the Los Rios collection, and found only one book at the Central Library of the Sacramento Public Library. Since CRC is nearly in Elk Grove, trekking to downtown Sacramento is quite a hike. But as the grateful student said, "I have to visit my sister in Sacramento anyway, so I'll talk her into going to the library with me."
All in all, the revolving group of art students was a refreshing challenge, especially as the morning wore on and the library's supply of art books started to dwindle. Fortunately, I enjoy art and visiting art museums, so I was happy to recommend artists to those who came to the library later.
sounds like a good day - got to turn some people on to things they might not have learned or found on their own! good on you mom :) must be rewarding and fun - especially art (since i know you like it - better than a geography or science project, imho)! love you - bec
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