Could your library be an artistic space?

In reading the NYT's article on Tight Times Loosen Creativity, it made me want to be able to have libraries assist in the creative efforts somehow. Whether it be a gallery space for local artists to display their work (probably already happening in a lot of places already?), or a space to work and give tutorials for people (the basics of oil painting, how to get started with clay modeling, etc.), or perhaps simply a quiet space to renew personal creative juices...

The library can surely be a part of the creative solution for everyone, as we soldier on through the economic recession.

Yes we have career information and yes, we can help job-seekers find resources for resumes. But the greater good is the hope You as the Librarian bring to people. The Library is a Place to Go where people are welcomed and encouraged to learn, branch out and become more of the idealized people they see themselves as.

The Library can be a part of that creative growth.
For artists. For students. For people. Are there activities your library is already doing?

Economic downturn could be uplifting for libraries

I have been sidetracked this morning, reading the headlines about the economy. I started the track by wondering what retail chains were going bankrupt, then mosied over to read about the "how to pay for college" crunch, and then ended up on biofuel and a global food shortage.

Yikes.

When I think about Maslow's hierarchy, food and shelter have to come before such things as problem-solving, community or eventually self-actualization...many of the things the Library (with a capital L) excels at. At least, the Library sets up the environment to make self-actualization more likely.

But people can't get excited about ideas or the life of the mind if they are hungry.

So it may seem like we as a society are heading into a time where we must hunker down and not do anything (translation: spend money). And of course I know all too well the whole "the library is free" mentality is a double-edged sword--it's free but it must be funded adequately.

But I was thinking that the economic downturn could be just the thing for libraries to use as a springboard to make their case to the American public:
1. We are a vital city service--as important as electricity or clean water.
2. Use us in good times and in bad.
3. We welcome ALL the people of the community here for technology access.
4. Hope lives here, at the library. Hope for improvement.

When all the headlines you see are about closing doors and belt-tightening, we can stand out from all the bad news: our doors are open, we are the place to come for education, entertainment, information...basically we are the place to come when you want to hope for a better life.

Is this realistic or am I just searching for a way out of all the bad news headlines?
Happy National Library Week.