The staff from the Children’s Room, at the Rochester Public Library, recently completed a collaborative community art piece featuring the work of nearly 100 patrons.

As part of the National Library Week celebration, children were invited to decorate 1 of 100 pieces of a 24 x 36 blank puzzle. Participants chose from an assortment of buttons, gems, feathers, tissue paper, and colored tape to create their individual pieces. The border pieces of the puzzle were finger-painted by a small group of children.

While a few pieces were decorated by staff, Friends of the Library, and even a member of the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, most were created by an enthusiastic group of children that regularly patronize the library.

“We want to provide a welcoming space for children so they are comfortable here,” said Christina Paquette, Rochester Public Library. “Hanging art created by them is just another way for them to feel connected to the library and the community.” 

The completed puzzle will be on display in the Children’s Room, at the Rochester Public Library. Community members are encouraged to see it in person during their next visit to the library.