Library art

One of the errands I ran today was to pick up a few books that our local fabulous library had on hold for me.

As I walked through the front door, my eye immediately went to the far back window of the building, where I saw this:

(you can click on the picture to make it larger)

While it may be difficult to discern from the photo, this stained glass window is massive.  It occupies a full three windows wide, and goes from the floor to the ceiling of the library.  (I’m terrible with estimating sizes, so please forgive the numbers I’m about to offer [I tried to find the actual measurements via an online search, but couldn’t locate them anywhere]…. I’m going to guess the piece is 10 feet wide, and 15 feet tall?)  At any rate, it’s big – and it’s beautiful.

Famous quotes are etched on the glass at various places.  Most of the quotes are literary, but a few are loosely associated with books, reading, libraries, etc.  Here are some of my favorites.

("We must not confuse dissent with loyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it." -Edward R. Murrow

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx

“Like stars across the sky, we are born to shine.” - Andrea Bocelli

“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.” –Roald Dahl

I had no idea that my routine errand of picking up books would result in such a delight.  I continue to be so grateful to libraries (and all of the people who encourage and support them), and to artists who work for a pittance (usually) to make our public spaces more meaningful and beautiful.

“The measure of any great civilization is its cities, and a measure of a city’s greatness is to be found in the quality of its public spaces, its parks, and its squares.” -John Ruskin

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” -Rumi

Stef