Book artists, zinesters, small press publishers, graphic designers, chapbook-penning poets, and printed matter-makers of all stripes are invited to submit materials for circulation at the Floating Library.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: JUNE 30
DEADLINE FOR MATERIALS: JULY 15
The Floating Library is an experimental public art project that introduces the creative genre of artists’ books and printed matter to people recreating on an urban lake in Minnesota.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Proposals due: JUNE 30
Notification: JULY 6 (Due to considerations of space, not all entries may be accepted.)
Materials due: JULY 10 (Address for mailing materials will be sent via email.)
Floating Library 2015 dates on Silver Lake at Silverwood Park:
Saturday, July 18 & Sunday, July 19
Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, August 26
Moonlight paddle and poetry, Saturday, August 1 at 8:30 pm
Materials returned (what of them remain): SEPTEMBER 30
To submit a proposal, please use this handy form here.
Questions? Email: thefloatinglibrary@gmail.com
How does it work?
The Floating Library is a custom-designed raft with bookshelves that hold printed matter for perusal on the water. Folks in canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, skiffs, rowboats, or even inner tubes are invited to paddle up and browse from inside their watercraft. Protective covers on the shelves do their best to keep materials dry.
The Library is staffed by friendly floating librarians who facilitate the check out system and make reading suggestions.
The check-out and return system is honor-based, but it’s Minnesota (land of volunteerism and participatory civic engagement) so we hope for the best in this regard. Patrons return materials to the Floating Library or at book deposit boxes scattered around Silverwood Park.
What are we looking for?
Artists’ books and printed matter addressing any themes. Multiple copies are welcome but not necessary. Works designed especially for a lake-based library are encouraged (waterproof pages, designed to get wet, etc.)!
Because of space constraints on the Library’s raft, some submissions may not be accepted. Works that are truly inappropriate for a library on a public lake that serves everyone will not be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE that by submitting your materials for access on the Floating Library you acknowledge that any of these things may happen to your printed matter:
- extensive water damage
- stepped on at the bottom of a canoe
- sand between the pages
- borrowed and never returned
- returned in mint condition after being enjoyed by many people
In other words, we don’t recommend sending the only copy of your most precious fine press book for inclusion in this project.
Questions? Email thefloatinglibrary@gmail.com
the Floating Library 