What’s happening at Carnegie Library?

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Sometimes we read to escape — where do you like to go?

Currently, I am visiting Paris, France. More specifically, I am enjoying time on the “Island of Impressionists,” or Chatou, one of the towns by the River Seine where Impressionist painters gathered to paint and relax. It is the summer of 1880, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir has just begun painting “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” an ambitious work that came to be one of Renoir’s largest and most critically acclaimed pieces.

A departure from the usual Impressionistic subject matter, yet still embracing the movement’s short, visible brush strokes and novel approach to color, “Luncheon of the Boating Party” was celebrated at its salon debut in 1882. It was a risk.

Renoir was determined to challenge the movement in both subject matter and technique by painting a group of friends on a terrace overlooking the Seine. This assemblage of Renoir’s friends was said to depict an enjoyable glimpse of “la vie modern.” While painting ” en plein air” was a hallmark of the Impressionist painters, the scale and complexity of Renoir’s undertaking created many challenges to adequately and vibrantly recreate the quality and dimension of light and life at play on the terrace, that summer afternoon.

Idyllic, the inspiration for and process of painting the “Luncheon of the Boating Party” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir is presented beautifully by author Susan Vreeland in her historic novel of the same title. Most of Vreeland’s fictional work pays homage to famous painters.

She has also written The Girl in Hyacinth Blue, the tale of an imaginary painting by Johannes Vermeer, and Lissette’s List, featuring artists Camille Pissaro, Paul Cezzane, and Marc Chagall.

Escape is rewarding in Vreeland’s novels. She describes atmosphere, context, process, and soul- lifting you from where you are and open doors to infinite paths, pictures and places to explore.

Carnegie Public Library welcomes all readers, teachers and information seekers! Our current hours are as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Friday from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. The library has designated Wednesday hours for at-risk and senior community members.

Curbside service continues, Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., until the library returns to full hours. We ask that patrons observe social distancing, and that children under 13 years of age are accompanied by a parent or guardian during this time.

Per Governor DeWine’s recent mask mandate, patrons who are able, should wear masks as a courtesy to others. Our staff are masked, and sanitize high touch surfaces hourly, public use computers after each use, and monitor the number of patrons in the building.

Shape Your Future: Start Here! Have you completed the 2020 Census for your household? If you need assistance, Census Response Representatives are available at the library to assist you in completing this important task.

At this time, public meeting room use and in-person library programming have not yet resumed. However, the library continues many virtual and live programs through Facebook and YouTube.

Our staff are enthusiastically offering storytime, nature programs with Fayette Soil & Water, crafting, geography, Tech Tutoring, and more. Visit www.cplwcho.org for the library calendar of summer programs events, or stop by the library to browse or sign-up for the Summer Reading Program!

Take advantage of Curbside Service! Pick-up of library materials takes place Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Requests for library materials can be placed through our online catalog at www.cplwcho.org, through the SEO Libraries app, or by calling the library at 740-335-2540.

Users requesting items online or through the app will need their library card number and PIN. Please contact the library if you require assistance. Statewide delivery service has resumed! Items you requested prior to March have begun to arrive and new requests will be filled in the upcoming weeks. When your materials are available for pick-up, library staff will notify you.

Jeffersonville patrons can use their cards to request items for pickup in WCH. Would you like to pick-up, but are not sure what you want to read or watch? Call the library and staff members will help create a “bundle” of books and other items just for you! Or, submit a request through the library’s “Dear Carol” reader’s advisory form at www.cplwcho.org/dearcarol.

Our online resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Information about all of our resources can be found on the Library’s website, www.cplwcho.org, or by calling the Washington Court House Library at 740-335-2540. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @cplwcho.

By Sarah Nichols

Carnegie Public Library Director

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