Exeter Central Library
A Week in the Life of Exeter Central Library
From 1st - 8th November 2008, Exeter Central Library was the place to be as staff, students and the general public recorded in paintings, drawings and photos a typical week at the library.
Students from West Exe Technology College, St Peter's C of E VA School and Exeter College joined resident artists, Tim Burton and Carys Wilson, to capture the time and place. The results were a stunning collection of photographs and drawings which will be added to the Westcountry Studies Library's archive. A Home Education group of young children also joined in the fun.
Staff joined in too - they photographed behind the scenes, concentrating especially on staff footware (very important when you're on your feet all day!), methods of arrival and all the little oddities that make up the Exeter Central Library that we know and love.
The public were invited to enter their pictures in a competition. There were three categories: People, Library and Buildings - and three age groups, Adult, 13-16s, and Under 12s.
These are the winning entries in the under 12 category.
People - Iona Robinson
Library - Megan Cameron
Buildings - Daisy Cameron
These are the winning entries in the under 13-16s category
People - Jodie Lawrence
Library – Charlie Harrison
Buildings – Robyn Coles
These are the winning entries in the Adult category
People – Christine McLoughlin
Library – John Sanders
Buildings – Stanley Newton
In addition, staff gave a special prize to Mark Barrett’s The Golden Ticket” pictured below.
The Westcountry Studies Library now finds itself with some 4,000 new pictures of Exeter’s Central Library. These pictures show the library buzzing with young and old. They capture the building from roof to boiler room, from the old to the new, from crowded to empty. There isn’t only a thorough photographic record of all the different departments in the library, there are also pictures of partners who share this space: Devon Wildlife Trust, RAMM, Learn Direct to name but a few
All these pictures will be carefully catalogued, and the best will be added to the Local Studies website, for visitors to enjoy worldwide. The entire collection will be archived for future generations to consult. Truly a week of history in the making” – with thanks to all who participated in this remarkable enterprise.
Please follow the links below for further information on our artist and photographer in residence.
