How a Chair Storage Room Became This Library’s Star-Studded Wall

Tina Panik, Reference & Adult Services Manager

Avon (Conn.) Free Public Library

Shortly after re-opening from a renovation in 2012, the librarians at the Avon Free Public Library in Connecticut noticed the walls were very….beige. There were pops of color here and there, but that wasn’t quite enough. A nostalgic desire for autograph books and the dream to create a green room led the programming librarians at the Avon Library to designate the boring, beige space behind the community room, officially labeled as “Chair Storage,” as the new home of a “Wall of Fame.”

All of the talent that presents at the library: musicians, artists, historians, authors and veterans, are invited to sign the wall. Some leave their name, others add a picture, some add a date and a few have re-signed when they return for an encore event; many leave a memorable message.

Publicists love it when we send pictures of their authors signing, as the images make fun social media posts. The Avon Library’s robust programming reputation, with events for all ages all year, provides numerous opportunities to collect new signatures!

A full wall of signatures and doodles inside of Avon Library.
Though chairs are still stored in the room, the walls are no longer a boring beige.
Scott McCloud doodles a self-portrait: "Avon rules!"
Author Adriana Trigiani's first stop on her book tour after her mother passed away was Avon. She felt the love from her Avon readers.
Laurel City Fencing hopes library goers "don't get stabbed!"
Author Liv Constantine visited Avon as one of the first stops on her book tour, making for a memorable evening.
Author Alafair Burke thanked Avon for creating a full "crime scene" when she visited.
Shakespeare on the Sound leaves its mark after a performance.

Among the favorites:

Scott McCloud, who presented as a keynote speaker at AvonCon, the Avon Library’s all-ages comic and graphic novel celebration, declared, “Avon Rules!” in his drawing. One of our librarians has this image blown up to an 8”x10” photo in her office.

Author Adriana Trigiani has a special place in our hearts, as we were the first stop on her book tour after her mother passed away; she felt the love from her Avon readers and the Prince Thomas of Savoy Italian Club, who co-sponsored the event.

Author Alafair Burke thanked us for creating a full crime scene in the community room when she visited. There was a weird coffee stain on the floor…it was begging to be outlined in Police scene tape!

Laurel City Fencing left solid life advice on our wall after their all-ages demo: “Don’t get stabbed!”

When a little book titled The Last Mrs. Parrish came out, we were one of the first tour stops for Liv Constantine, and we’ve remained a favorite tour stop ever since. Once you give the audience a large diamond bling to wear during an event, there’s no going back…

Most recently, Shakespeare on the Sound, which presented its “Hamlet: Page to Stage” program during our ALA Exploring Human Origins traveling exhibit host time, enjoyed leaving its mark. 

Do you have a fun library story to share? Send us an email at programminglibrarian@ala.org.

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