Next time you visit the Peterborough Town Library, you might just leave with something more than a good book.
Artist Aimee LaRue, also a library employee, has created an interactive, collaborative art project that aims at spreading good words throughout the community.
LaRue got the ball rolling by sticking a variety of post-it notes on the library walls, now adorned with “TAKE WHAT YOU NEED” in giant letters. On the notes, she wrote a variety of affirmations, positive ideas or just nice things.
“The idea is that the surface is covered with notes with something that someone might need throughout their day or throughout their life,” LaRue. Some of them are a little more sweet and sentimental, like ‘A hug’ or ‘Love,’ but I also tried to tie it into the library and do ‘A good book’ or ‘A helping hand.’ ”
LaRue explained that the project is a sort of microcosm of the library’s mission.
“This library, especially, has a ton of stuff going on, all the time, opportunities for you to meet a friend – which might be something that you came to take off the the wall on a post-it note – or some helpful information, or some quiet alone time,” LaRue said. “It’s a great place to find whatever you might need and I think more people should know that about us.”
LaRue was responsible for the first few notes, but now that the project is underway, the community has responded by filling out sticky notes of their own and adding them to the wall. Now, the library walls are ablaze with yellows and blues and peaches, all bearing a positive message. It’s the first of several interactive community art projects the library has in store for the coming year, and LaRue hopes it makes an impact.
“With the actual taking of the note, I think it is making you more aware that ‘Oh, that is something that I need,’” she said. “I think when you kind of internalize that, it helps it manifest itself in your life or in whatever you’re doing.”
The project will be on display through the end of the month.