Friends of Kent Library - general information, news, upcoming events, and more!

New Art at the Kent Library for January and February...

2012-01-24T08:30:00.007-05:00

Bea Gustafson, Reflectionist Artist
presents:

"The Magic of Still Life"

January 18-February 29, 2012

"I very seldom choose my subjects...they choose me. It is a demand I must answer. My desire is to paint my most intimate impression."

Come enjoy these works at the Kent Library, 17 Sybil's Crossing, Kent Lakes, NY 10512.

See you there!

November Art Exhibit at Kent Library...

2011-11-11T09:20:00.004-05:00

Michael Rossi - "Urban Portraits"

November 1-30th, 2011

Stop by and enjoy this month's exhibit!

Giant Book Sale - Thanksgiving Weekend!

2011-11-10T19:33:00.003-05:00

The Friends of Kent Library are happy to announce a Giant Book Sale to be held this Thanksgiving Weekend. A perfect opportunity to cross off many on your gift-giving list - there's something for everyone! We hope to see you there.

Saturday, November 26th - 10am to 2pm
Mark your calendars! Thanks for your support.

click to enlarge flyer

Upcoming Mini Children's / Young Adult Book Sale...

2011-10-21T19:41:00.005-04:00

SAVE THE DATE: Mini Children's / Young Adult Book Sale
- November 5th, 2011

click the below flyer to enlarge

We hope to see you there! Thank you for your support.

October Art Exhibit at the Kent Public Library...

2011-10-05T09:13:00.003-04:00

gg reid presents

The Alex's Tree Series at the Kent Public Library

October 1-31, 2011

In an October exhibit at the Kent Public Library, Reflectionist artist gg reid present a collection of paintings that start with realism and move progressively toward abstractions of the same subject.

-----
Kent Public Library
17 Sybil's Crossing, Kent Lakes, NY 10512

Friends September Art Exhibit

2011-09-08T08:23:00.010-04:00

Alice in Wonderland in Books comes to the Kent Library with character dolls by Gladys Boalt, and hand colored and hand-screened drawings on fabric by Richard Harrison and hand and machine sewed by Kathleen Harrison, in addition to the antique books that inspired these local artists.

The Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit, the Jabberwocky, the Madhatter, and of course Alice herself are among those represented in drawings and soft sculpture.

Nationally known for her Christmas Ornaments, Stormville resident Gladys Boalt's creations can be found in the White House and museums. Her miniatures are lifelike and accurate. Long time Carmel School District art teacher and Kent resident Richard Harrison's art work on fabric document a 30 year fascination with Alice and her adventures. His art work can be found in many collections worldwide.

Both artists have collected volumes about Alice, her creator Lewis Carroll, and her illustrators. The books and other memorabilia will be on display.

The exhibit opens September 1st and runs through the end of the month, and is sponsored by The Friends of Kent Library who support programs and equipment for the library.

The Kent Library is located on Route 52 in Kent.

August Art Exhibition at Kent Library

2011-08-03T09:36:00.002-04:00

(click below image for larger version of announcement)

Giant Book Sale Success!

2011-06-16T19:37:00.004-04:00

THANK YOU ALL!

Well between us all we did it again!

The Annual Giant Book Sale was a giant success! The Friends made nearly $6,000. We could not have done this without the help of our members, volunteers and our community who supported the sale.

Our book sales make it possible to help the Library with so many of their requests. This year we donated $5,000 for a new 60" TV for the program
room, money for a museum freebie for library patrons and for many other programs.
They are all available to you, so please take advantage of them.

We will be having several mini-book sales throughout the Fall so please
click on to our website to be informed about these.

BOOK NOOK ROOM

Remember we have our well stocked Book Nook Room in the rear of the library open two days a week all year....great titles and inexpensive prices so take advantage of these great buys. The Nook is open Wednesday 10 AM- 6:30 PM and Saturdays 10: AM 'til 2:30 PM.

Again, thanks as always for your support!

June Art Exhibit at the Kent Library...

2011-06-07T08:18:00.005-04:00

Amish Impressions
by Joseph Pizzuti

June 1-June 30th at The Kent Library

This exhibition of oil paintings is inspired by the Amish farmers and countryside of Lancaster County, PA. Enjoy this glimpse into life in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Busy month of May ahead!

2011-05-06T13:23:00.001-04:00

The Friends Annual Giant Book Sale
May 28th 9 AM- 5 PM and May 29th 11 AM -3 PM at the Kent Town Hall.

Spring is here which means our Annual Giant Book Sale will held again on
Memorial Day weekend, May 28th & 29th. As a Friend you are eligible for
early admittance to the sale (8:30 AM) on Saturday May 28th.

As usual we are looking for volunteers to help at this big event. If you
will be able to help, we need volunteers on Friday, May 27th for the set up,
Saturday during the sale and on Sunday for the sale and take down. If you
will be able to help - even one hour would be great - please contact Kaye
Baumat (845)225-3942 or her email catgirl113@verizon.net.

Thanks for your ongoing membership support...we just donated $5,000. to
the Kent Library for a new 55" television and various library programs. And
remember to view current activities by logging on the the Kent Library home
page and clicking on the Friends link at the top of the page.

See you at the Sale!

Book donation acceptance has resumed!

2011-04-14T09:54:00.003-04:00

We'd like to let the community know that we are once again accepting book donations. After a 3 month hiatus we are pleased to announce that in preparation for our giant spectacular Memorial Day Weekend book sale, we are accepting the following:

clean hardcover books
paperbacks
children's books
DVDs
CDs
audio books

Please be sure all donated items are smoke free and mold free. Also, please note that absolutely no ex-library books, magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias or condensed books will be accepted.

The Friends and the Kent Library would like to take this opportunity to once again thank you for all of your support as we raise funds for various programs through the year.

April Art Exhibit at Kent Library...

2011-04-14T09:37:00.001-04:00

Several antique quilts will be featured in an unusual exhibit at the Kent Library. The homemade patchwork highlights over 300 books on the craft of quilting for sale by the Friends of Kent Library.

With names like Dresden Plate, Graveyard, and Crazy Quilt, these quilts reflect the thoughts, fabrics, and skill of women from another century. The colors are still vibrant and the patterns exciting. The book sale includes volumes on Antique Quilts, quilt patterns and fabrics, as well as the history of quilting, a singularly American art.

A highlight of the Quilting Book Sale will be the viewing of the Putnam County Bicentennial Quilt with local quilter and doll maker Gladys Boalt, who once owned the building holding the Kent Library, on Saturday April 30th at 1:00 at the Library.

March News from the Friends...

2011-03-04T19:20:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, March 9th at 7pm artist Franco Aureliani will give a talk on his current Kent Library exhibit Comic Book Art. With names like Tiny Titans and Shazam, the comic book superheroes of today as drawn by Aureliani are intensely colored, powerful, and fun. Storyboards and thumbnails as well as finished comic books by Mr. Aureliani will highlight the process and challenges of this narrative art. He will have comic books available for purchase. This exhibit is sponsored by the Friends of Kent Library.

Also, please keep in mind that March is the 2011 Friends of Kent Library Membership Drive. If you have not yet become a member, this is the time to do it - or if you are already currently a member, don't forget to renew! Individual dues for membership are $10/year. The Friends help the library by raising extra funds to supply needed equipment and support special projects and programs.

Please send dues to:
Friends of Kent Library
17 Sybil's Crossing
Kent Lakes, NY 10512
845-225-8585

In addition, just a brief reminder that the 2011 Annual Friends of Kent Library Business Meeting will be held on March 29, 2011 at 7:30pm. This is an open meeting, all are invited to attend.

As always, the Friends would like to thank you for your generous support!

March Art Exhibit at Kent Library...

2011-03-04T19:10:00.004-05:00

March 1-31, 2011

"Photo Visions" by Margaret Waage

A mixture of landscape and abstract photo illustrations make up the display. Working as a photojournalist, Waage produces feature "daytrip" assignments for the Republican-American newspaper and reports local news for the Southington Patch site.

Artist Statement:
"Visual storytelling helps me to recognize and understand the relationship I have to things, places, and most importantly people. It is looking through the lens that I see what seems apparent and on closer inspection, something more. A blossom is like poetry brief but everlasting. Photography is the tool I use to focus on what I describe as true wealth, that is of being in the moment.

Abstract work is made by finding a momentum within the space of a frame. Working with a photograph as the entry point, the image is edited using color and graphic patterns. The end results are 'abstract formulations.' It is up to the viewer to interpret the subject matter."

February's Artist at Kent Library...

2011-02-12T14:09:00.008-05:00

February 1-28, 2011

Artist: Chris Casaburi

In this exhibit, Chris celebrates the wonders of childhood. As complex as big people, Little People captures the uniqueness and individuality of people in the early stages of their life.

Known for his colorful and engaging portraits of corporate executives, in Spring 2011 Chris will begin to offer his unique brand of photography to clients in Putnam County and the Hudson Valley.

2011 Upcoming Events at the Kent Library...

2011-02-12T12:17:00.002-05:00

Greetings all! We hope that everyone is having the opportunity to enjoy this wild winter. Truly the perfect type of winter to curl up with some good books.

We wanted to keep you informed about what you can look forward to in the upcoming months here at the Library. Be sure to mark your calendar!

FEBRUARY - AKL Exhibit - Chris Casaburi
Director's Meeting
Franco Aureliani - 'Comic Book Art' exhibit and lecture sponsored by the
Friends. Exhibit held in back section of the library. Coordinator: Beth Herr

MARCH - AKL Exhibit - Roy Volpe , artist
Yearly Membership Drive Begins
Annual Business Meeting March 29th, 2011

APRIL - AKL Exhibit - Gladys Boalt: Special Quilt Exhibit and Book Sale
Mini Arts Book Sale - Arts on the Lake April 2nd 1-4 PM

MAY - The really great GIANT BOOK SALE - Memorial Day Weekend…volunteers
greatly needed! Set Up Friday, May 27th - Sale Saturday and Sunday May 28th-29th
Mini Arts Book Sale at Arts on the Lake

JUNE - AKL - Mala Ramade - artist
Friends field trip Thursday June 16th to Vanderbilt Mansion and luncheon at
the Culinary Instit. /American Bounty - reservations needed..Coordinator:
Jane Fowler 845-222-9633

JULY - AKL- Jennie Williams, artist
4-H Fair Friends Table. Coordinator: Sue Kotzar

AUGUST -

SEPTEMBER - Art of 'Alice in Wonderland' : Gladys Boalt and Richard
Harrison. Coordinator: Beth Herr

OCTOBER - Mini Arts Book Sale - Arts on the Lake

NOVEMBER - Mini Holiday Book Exhibit - Program Room at Kent Library
Mini Arts Book Sale Reflectionist…Arts on the Lake 1-4PM

DECEMBER - AKL- Bea Gustofson, artist
Volunteer's Luncheon at Cutillo's Restaurant. Coordinators: Sue
Kotzur/Kaye Baum

As always, thanks for your support!

Seasons Greetings and a reminder...

2010-12-27T19:16:00.005-05:00

Dear Library Patrons,
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all so much for your support during 2010. The support you have shown for the Friends of Kent Library is deeply appreciated - we couldn't do all that we do without your help! We wish you a happy 2011, which is right around the corner.

Next year will be bringing a full schedule of interesting and novel programs, events, and exhibits -be sure to stay tuned as more information becomes available. Also, we are already starting to prepare for our Giant Memorial Day Book Sale. Accordingly we'd like to issue a kind reminder that we will NOT be accepting any book donations for the months of January, February or March. This enables us to focus all of our efforts on preparations for that Memorial Day Sale.

Again, best wishes to you and yours. We look forward to making it a great 2011 with your help and support!

December Art Exhibit at Kent Library...

2010-12-11T11:01:00.003-05:00

Join us in December for this month's fantastic art exhibit by Susan Fronapfel! The show will be displayed from December 1-31, 2010. We hope to see you there!

click to enlarge

New Book Donation Guidelines...

2010-11-14T10:06:00.000-05:00

Book Donation Policy - Friends of Kent Library

We accept clean hardcover books, paperbacks, children's books, audio books, DVDs and CDs. (only smoke free / mold free please!)

Please note that no magazines, encyclopedias, textbooks or condensed books will be accepted as donations. Also, no donations will be accepted for the months of January - March 2011.

The Friends and Library thank you for your continued support and efforts to help us raise funds. Be sure to visit us at our next book sale to see what great new items we will have on hand!

Upcoming Book Sale...

2010-11-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

Join us Saturday, November 27th from 10a -2:30p as the Friends of Kent Library hold a One Day Only Book Sale!

Only the best quality books will be selected for this sale - ideal for holiday gift giving.

Looking for a bargain? Our Book Nook will be open for you to browse as well.

Can't make it this Saturday? Be sure to stop into the Book Nook now through December - there are always great finds for everyone.

Thanks, as always, for your support!

Book Sale this Saturday!

2010-11-04T10:58:00.003-04:00

Please join us this Saturday at Arts on the Lake on Rte. 52 in Lake Carmel for a 1 Day Only Book Sale! The sale will be held during a portion of the Reflectionist Art Exhibit. Stop by between 1-4pm this Saturday to select from a wide assortment of wonderful art books and coffee table books as well as children's and oversized paperbacks. When you're finished, we hope you'll stay to browse through the fabulous Reflectionist exhibit as well.

Remember, in addition to expanding your personal library, book sales are a great place to find gifts for friends and family as well.

The Friends thank you for your support!

Exciting weekend coming up!

2010-09-27T08:47:00.004-04:00

Join us this weekend at the Lake Carmel Cultural Center as we welcome the arrival of autumn with the Arts on the Lake Fall Art Exhibit. An abundance of new work in all media will be on display from many local artists. While you're there, be sure to check out the Friends of Kent Library Arts & More Book Sale in an adjacent room. There will be a wide selection of bargain books, great to pick up for yourself as well as gift giving!

DATES: Saturday, October 2, 2010 - 1pm to 5pm

Sunday, October 3, 2010 - 1pm to 5pm

WHERE: Arts on the Lake @ Lake Carmel Cultural Center

640 Route 52, Kent Lakes, NY

We hope to see you this weekend in support of both our local artists and the Friends of Kent Library!

October Art Exhibit at Kent Library

2010-09-25T16:19:00.005-04:00

Those Autumn Leaves

works by R. F. Hauver

October 1-30, 2010

Autumn is an especially beautiful time of year in the Hudson Valley and it all begins with a leaf...

This show features still lifes of autumn leaves and outdoor scenes from the Hudson Valley, which were painted in "plein air."

R. F. Hauver is a Hudson Valley artist who traces his local roots back to the 1800s.

September Art Exhibit at Kent Library

2010-09-15T11:32:00.005-04:00

Animal Fun?
Artwork by Jessica E. McMath

September 1-30th, 2010

My love of art started as a child with picture books and reading. Seuss and Sendak brought me to VanGogh and Kandinsky studying as an Education and Art major at SUNY Oswego. Now a married mother of three I've come back to the beginning.

If shape and color can bring a smile, and a smile can bring joy, if only for a moment - that is what I hope to create.

Important Friends News...

2010-08-30T20:34:00.003-04:00

Dear library patrons, please take note of the following:

The Book Nook will be closed this Saturday, September 4th, in observance of the Labor Day weekend. It will reopen later in the week for it's regular hours on Wednesday from 10am to 6pm, and Saturday 10am-2:30pm. Remember, even if the Book Nook is closed upon your visit to the library, there are always great bargains available on the book rack in the library. Please see someone at the circulation desk if you need help locating the book rack.

On behalf of the Friends, have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

July's Art Exhibit

2010-07-20T09:13:00.000-04:00

A Common Thread
artwork by LisaMarie Meinck
July 1-31, 2010
Within every soul is a deep connection to nature and its magic. Sometimes that connection flows very strongly, other times it is a quiet, almost whimsical whisper, but it is always there for LisaMarie. Just as the Native Americans believed that certain animals, or totems, represented an individual's inner nature or guardian spirit, her work is inspired by an intrinsic awareness that our connection to the world around us (its life forms, ancient legends, cultures and energy) is a very tangible thread. LisaMarie's images evoke a playful representation of that bond and attempt to inspire the viewer's imagination.

Many heartfelt thanks...

2010-06-03T17:11:00.003-04:00

The Friends of Kent Library would like to extend a huge thank-you to all of the Friends and volunteers who helped with our most successful Giant Book Sale to date! It took a lot of effort by all, but in the end it was wholly appreciated by both those who attended as well as the Library, who will benefit from the funds raised.

Be sure to log onto the Friends website often to be the first to know about upcoming events and areas to assist.

Thank you again!

Join us for a day of lovely outdoor fun...

2010-06-03T10:49:00.008-04:00

... at Cold Spring's beautiful Stonecrop Gardens on Friday, June 11, 2010 - from 11:30a to 2:30p, sponsored by The Friends of Kent Library.

Price: Friends free, guests $10/each.
Where: Stonecrop Gardens parking lot, 11:15am on June 11.
Time: Guided tour of the gardens from 11:30 to 2:30
Directions: Stonecrop Gardens is located on Route 301, 3.5 miles west of the Taconic Parkway on the right (coming from Carmel). There is a sign next to the driveway. You can reach Stonecrop Gardens directly at (845) 265-2000.

We will have a small wine and cheese reception following our tour of the gardens.

Some information about Stonecrop Gardens: At it's windswept elevation of 1100 feet in the Hudson Highland, Stonecrop enjoys a Zone 5 climate. The display gardens cover an area of approximately 12 acres, and incorporate a diverse collection of gardens and plants - including woodland and water gardens, a grass garden, raised alpine stone beds, cliff rock gardens, and an enclosed English-style flower garden.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS REQUIRED. TO REGISTER PLEASE CONTACT Richard Harrison (rjamesharrison@cs.com / 845-225-4092) or Susan Kotzur (suekfroglane@hotmail.com / 845-225-3510) Deadline for registration is June 10, 2010.

June's Reflectionist Art Exhibit at Kent Library...

2010-06-01T17:45:00.005-04:00

Click to view full version...

Kent Library Giant Book Sale

2010-04-29T10:30:00.003-04:00

What? It's time to get ready for the Kent Library Giant Book Sale!

When? Set up is Friday, May 28th - Actual Book Sale is Memorial Day Weekend, May 29-30th.

Where? Kent Town Hall (adjacent to Kent Library)

We need volunteers for all phases of the sale - set up, staffing sale, take down, publicity, etc. If you are able to help us, please contact Kaye Baum at (845) 225-3942 or Rich Harrison at rjamesharrison@cs.com.

We are now accepting books/audios/cds/DVDs for the sale. The books should be in good condition, smoke free, and unsoiled. Please no textbooks, Reader's Digest, or outdated encyclopedias.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to support the sale. Many hands make the work light. Let's all work to create a great success!

May Art Exhibit at Kent Library...

2010-04-23T22:03:00.008-04:00

You're As Welcome as the Flowers in May...

...to an exhibit of Kate Hoekstra's paintings at the Kent Library from May 1-May 29, 2010.

Please come to see Kate's florals and portraits during this beautiful month when we celebrate mothers and the return of flowers.

For a preview, you may visit the artist's site here.

work shown is "The Blues" -pastel 18x24

April Reflectionist Exhibit

2010-04-02T17:39:00.003-04:00

April 3-30, 2010

Lianne S. Escher, Reflectionist artist, presents Out-Picturing the Senses at the Kent Public Library.

In her solo exhibition, Lianne S. Escher explores sensations and experiences in her paintings.

“I paint in order to return to the process I’m in as I experience a place or an event. So the issues becomes: How to Express a verb on a flat surface with color. I tremendously enjoy the engagement and hope the viewer will as well.”

2010-11 Arts on the Lake Exhibits Announced

2010-03-17T06:55:00.004-04:00

The Friends of Kent Library are pleased to announce the upcoming schedule of artists who will be displaying their work as part of the Art at Kent Library program.

April 1 - 30, 2010 - Lianne Escher
May 1-29, 2010 - Kate Hoekstra
June 1-30, 2010 - Anne Chapin Fisher
July 1-31, 2010 - Lisa Marie Meinck
August 2-31, 2010 - George Isaacson
September 1-30, 2010 - Jessica McMath
October 1-30, 2010 - F Hauver
November 1-30, 2010 - Amanda O'Shaughnessy
December 1-30, 2010 - Susan Frontopfel
January 3-31, 2011 - Don Longabucco
February 1-28, 2011 - Chris Casaburi
March 1-31, 2011 - Roy Volpe

We look forward to seeing you at the Library!

Kent Library March Art Exhibit

2010-03-07T10:07:00.014-05:00

February Reflectionist Exhibit

2010-02-08T09:58:00.002-05:00

February 1 - 27th, 2010
E.N. Beers at the Kent Public Library

Places in Time and Imagination
In a solo exhibition at the Kent Public Library, Reflectionist artist E.N. Beers presents Places in Time and Imagination, a collection of paintings describing imagined worlds and powerful memories.

Kent Public Library
17 Sybil's Crossing, Kent Lakes, NY 10512

Looking for a way to give back this season?

2009-12-19T19:48:00.002-05:00

Volunteer with the Friends!

The Friends of Kent Library are always in need of and happy to welcome volunteers.

Volunteers are needed for:

book sorting - Monday mornings in library basement
Book Nook monitors - Wednesdays & Saturdays
all phases of our Giant May Book Sale - setting up, taking down, delivering books from library basement to Town Hall, monitoring sale, etc.

Also, if you have expertise in some area which could be of service to us, we would certainly appreciate your help!

Volunteers are unpaid not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless!

Please contact Kaye Baum at 225-3942 or inquire at the library if you're interested in helping.

Important notice from the Friends...

2009-12-19T19:07:00.003-05:00

PLEASE NOTE:
No Book Nook donations will be accepted for the months of January and February. We will resume accepting donations starting in March 2010.

Book Nook hours will remain the same for the winter:
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 2:30pm

Thank you and don't forget to join us for our GIANT Book Sale in May!

Upcoming Reflectionist Art Exhibit/Book Sale

2009-11-10T18:50:00.004-05:00

The Friends of Kent Library are sponsoring an art book sale on Sunday, November 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Arts on the Lake, concurrent with the reception for Visions, Sensations, Considerations, The Reflectionist fall 2009 art exhibition. Click on the image above for more details. We welcome your presence and support!

October Reflectionist Exhibit - Dalia Hierro

2009-10-03T10:18:00.004-04:00

Works by
Dalia Hierro

At the
Kent Public Library
October 1 – October 31, 2009

Dalia Hierro, Reflectionist artist, presents WTC Reflections at the Kent Public Library.

"When the Twin Towers fell on 9/11, they produced a mountain of ash and papers that rose up to fill the place they had been. Soon afterwards, prevailing winds blew this enormous cloud to my neighborhood in Brooklyn. The place was instantly transformed from a bright sunny world to some kind of deathly snow globe. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe; my street was filled with acrid smoke, gritty fog and falling papers of every kind - business cards, computer printouts, office memos, newspaper, anything light enough to fly - some of it charred, others items perfectly intact.

I watched the tragedy unfold that day in safety from across the East River. But in my memory, it is as if the horror happened right in front of me on my street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. This painting, like the others in this show, is an attempt make sense of my experience."

Kent Public Library
17 Sybil's Crossing, Kent Lakes, NY 10512
more info - www.reflectionist.org

Announcing "Mini" Book Sales!

2009-10-03T10:09:00.008-04:00

The Friends of the Kent Library are pleased to announce their upcoming series of "Mini" Book Sales. In lieu of their usual October sale, the Friends have initiated a new series of mini sales. These sales are more manageable during this busy fall and holiday season and they will afford patrons three times the opportunity to buy (and three times the fun!). The sales are scheduled as follows between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:30 pm:

Saturday, October 17th

Saturday, November 21st

Saturday, December 12th

All sales will be held (rain or shine) in the Program room of the Kent Library on Route 52.

Although smaller in size, the sales will still provide a fine collection of bargain priced books. Items for sale will include hundreds of books, collectibles, hardcovers, paperbacks, children's books, videos, DVDs, CDS and more! A variety of raffles will be available for sale as well. Stop by to get ahead and stock up on your holiday gift giving. And, while you are there, be sure to visit the Book Nook at the library for more fine books at bargain prices. The Book Nook will be open on all sale days (10:00 am - 2:30 pm).

For more information, please call the Kent Library at 845-225-8585.

A warm welcome...

2009-08-31T19:16:00.003-04:00

The Friends of Kent Library would like to extend an enthusiastic and warm welcome to Sharon Dirac, who has recently joined our Board of Directors. Welcome Sharon!

Reflections on Art in the Kent Library

2009-08-31T18:34:00.002-04:00

The Friends of the Kent Library in conjunction with Arts on the Lake and Director of the Kent Library are sponsoring ongoing exhibits throughout the year with one-artist shows. The artists alternate monthly so that the patrons of the library have an ever-changing exhibit. This brings a wide variety of artists to the library, and also gives the artists an opportunity to have a one-person show with exposure to the 300 daily visitors to the library. The exhibits are placed on the wall next to the genealogy room and change at the beginning of each month There are currently three groups that are based at Arts on the Lake in Kent that supply artists-The Reflectionist artists, the Visual Arts Committee, and The Photography Group. These groups rotate and the artists are picked randomly.

The Reflectionist artists are a group of 28 artists who have formed a cooperative after years of painting together as a group under the direction of Alexander Shundi, The Reflectionists have an educational objective. The three yearly exhibits at AotL are designed to set up a dialogue between the artist and the viewer. The artist answers a question such as, “What was the artist thinking?” in a paragraph and the viewers write their response to the art or the comment. The dialogues are posted on the Reflectionist website: reflectionist.org This approach enables both the artist and the viewer to reflect on the artistic process and their responses to a work of art, and to share their insights.

The Visual Arts Committee is the large Arts on the Lake committee for all visual artists members, Painters, sculptors, photographers and all other mediums. They have several large group shows a year and sponsor special show such as the High School students show.

The photograpy group is a newly formed group for professional and amateur photographers who are will begin showing at the library next year.

The exhibits are coordinated by Bonnie Eggena, VP of the Friends of the Kent Library and director of the Reflectionist Group- with the help of many others on the Friends Art committee, the director of the Kent Library Frank Rees, and the representatives of the three art groups at Arts on the Lake.

A heartfelt thank you...

2009-06-30T21:00:00.010-04:00

What an amazing community we live in. The Town of Kent definitely loves to support its library and in spite of difficult financial times for many – or perhaps due to budget restraints - the Friends of Kent Library Spring Book Sale was an enormous success. You helped us smash our previous book sale record. More than $5000 was raised and will be used to support our library.

The success of this book sale was due in part to the many volunteers who graciously give up part – or all – of their holiday weekend to work at the sale. Even more volunteers help prepare for the sale by spending fun and friendly Monday morning hours in the library basement sorting through the thousands of donated books that come our way.

Our book sale has become a favorite event for Kent young people who need to fulfill their Community Service requirements. And how we enjoy having all of you among us. Judging from the books you take home after a long day’s work, I know you enjoy being part of this fundraising event. It is so reassuring to see so many of you. Please come back – anytime!

The Friends of Kent Library thank each and every one of you, volunteers and book lovers all, for supporting the book sale. We’ll look forward to seeing you again in the fall for the next book sale!

Need a beach read? Look to the Nook!

2009-06-29T14:39:00.006-04:00

Everyone knows summertime means time to read! Whether your summer is taking you to the beach, the lake, or just your back porch - stop by The Book Nook and check out our great selection of inexpensive reads. It's a great way to keep your reading list fresh, all while supporting the library.

The Book Nook can be accessed from the rear of the building. Come take a peek!

Regular Hours:
Wednesdays 10 am to 7 pm
Saturdays 10 am to 2:30 pm

Many hands make the load light...

2009-06-29T14:20:00.003-04:00

Have some extra time available this summer? The Friends Of Kent Library are always looking for helping hands to assist in our endeavors. Tasks that can always use volunteers are:

sorting / cleaning donated books
stocking the Book Nook

If you are interested in volunteering, even on a temporary basis, please speak to a staff member at the circulation desk and they will be happy to assist you.

Welcome to the Friends of Kent Library site!

2009-04-15T12:06:00.000-04:00

Hi there and welcome! We're so glad you found our home on the Web. This blog will be an easy way to keep the public informed about all the goings-on for the Friends of Kent Library. Check back often for newly scheduled events, as well as updates and recaps of what's been happening!

The Book Nook

2009-04-15T01:08:00.002-04:00

Visit the wonderful newly opened book sale room (The Book Nook) at the back of the library for great bargains on used books.

Regular Hours:
Wednesdays 10 am to 6 pm
Saturdays 10 am to 2:30 pm

Volunteers Needed!
We desperately need volunteers in order to continue to operate the Book Nook. Please fill out a Volunteer Interest Form at the library or call 225-8585 if you are interested in giving of your time for a very good cause.

Friends of Kent Library Officers

2009-04-15T01:02:00.005-04:00

President - Richard Harrison

Vice President - Bonnie Eggena

Secretary - Wilma Baker

Treasurer - AnnMarie Baisley

Directors -

Kaye Baum
Bob Bennett
Sharon Dirac
Beth Herr
Susan Kotzur
Charles Sisto