We have had some wonderful comments and a great time looking at the Library from this perspective. Here are a few of my favorites from the series:

• Listening Closely – Last winter some characters from Disney on Ice visited us. They gave everyone Nemo hats; the kids were spellbound. I found myself utterly charmed by the scene. A few days later our beloved Head of Technical Services sported the hat in an administrator’s meeting.
• A Peaceful Moment at West – Yvonne took this one and I thought the light and calm in it was lovely. Who wouldn’t want to hang out at THAT Library?
• Children’s Book Week – To celebrate some of the staff volunteered to pose with their favorite kids’ books. I think the resulting photos were absolutely lovely portraits. They showed us as well really are: loving our jobs and a bit silly.
• Photographing the photographer – I thought it was really super that the Union Leader wanted to do a story about what libraries offer… especially in the bad economy (The story was published on May 18th, 2008. You can find it in Newsbank. You’ll need your library card number to login.) I really liked the action in this picture. Notice who’s not in the photo he took? There’s a reason for that. Cross modeling off the list, I’ll have to stick it out as a librarian.
• Above and beyond – I missed it, unfortunately, but apparently there was a runaway during the Wildlife Encounters program and this guy climbed the auditorium wall. It cracked me up.
• A new reading room – We were overwhelmed by his generosity and proud to name the Allen G. Cote Reading Room over at the West Branch. Mr. Cote’s family was on hand for the ceremony.
• Day 276 with Paige – Library staff, big hearts always, rescued a kitten who had been living behind the library. She got very cozy for the week she stayed with us and we were all very fond of our foundling. Our Amy G. gave her a lovely home.
• Clowning Around – Could this little face be any sweeter? Er, I mean fiercer? Raaawwr.
• Customer Service – This is what we are all about and I think this photo captures it perfectly. Something about the sense of collaboration and warmth makes me smile every time.

So it’s with mixed emotions that we post our last photos of the project today. Well, Yvonne posts them; she’s my hero. Having spent the last hour looking through the collection we have built, I am proud that it’s exactly what I hoped it would be. These photos give a glimpse into the daily life and inner workings of our Library. It’s a remarkable place with lots of spirit and action. It does not belong to those of us fortunate enough to work here, but to the whole city of Manchester. Thank you to everyone.

ps. If you did follow along, don’t worry, Yvonne and I are cooking up a new photo project for a new year.