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Long Overdue: Book RenewalThe Altered Book Project |
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“Long Overdue: Book Renewal” is a collaboration between the Portland Public Library and Maine College of Art. It is an exploration of modern society’s relationship to both books and art. Like other more traditional library books, the altered books can be checked out by the public for circulation. To see a list of altered books available for check out, search our catalog (keyword = altered book). We are in the process of adding photos of all the altered books to our website and our catalog. If you are not a Portland Public Library cardholder, you can request an altered book at your hometown library via Interlibrary Loan. The program is funded in part by a grant from the Maine Humanities Council and a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. The project began in February 2005 with a lecture by New York book artist Doug Beube. Following the lecture, artists attended a “book grab” at the Library, where they selected their materials from withdrawn books, then they went to work to create something new from books that were no longer usable at the Library. In April 2005, 186 artworks were on display at the Library’s Lewis Gallery, drawing huge crowds of all ages. After the exhibit, the altered books were moved to the Library’s Technical Services Department to be cataloged and prepared for circulation. The books are now on the shelves and are available to check out (including Interlibrary Loan).
“The book, threatened as it has been in this century by radio, television, film and the Internet, seems determined to survive as a staple of human expression, communication and knowledge.” Doug Beube, Artist/Curator
For more information on the exhibit, please contact Michael Whittaker, Reiche Branch Manager at 207-774-6871. |
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5 Monument Square, Portland Maine 04101 207 871-1700 email: reference@portland.lib.me.us |
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