Library Distribution

In 2008, the Northwest Photography Archive received support from the Collins Foundation to distribute Wild Beauty: Photographs of the Columbia River Gorge, 1867–1957 to public libraries in Oregon. In the summer and fall of 2009, with the help of Oregon State Librarian Jim Scheppke and Oregon Center for the Book coordinator Katie Anderson, we distributed a total of 213 books, one to every library and branch in the state.

We at the Northwest Photography Archive take great pride in this effort to provide free copies of Wild Beauty to Oregon's public libraries. Expanding public access to the photographs featured in our book series is at the core of our mission, so making our books available to the widest possible audience in this way is paramount. This library-distribution project has also helped us to create meaningful and lasting relationships with library users throughout the state.

Slide Presentations

In conjunction with our library-distribution program we originally planned a book and lecture tour to half a dozen libraries around the state, but these programs were so enthusiastically received that we soon extended them. Since 2009 we have collaborated with the Libraries of Eastern Oregon (LEO) to present slideshow lectures by Wild Beauty co-author John Laursen at libraries in cities large and small around the region, and he continues to speak about Wild Beauty at libraries and cultural institutions regularly.

Contact us if you are interested in organizing a slide presentation at your public library or cultural center.


Past presentations

Support Library Programing

We are currently seeking funding for library distribution in Washington and we will continue to provide our books free to public libraries throughout the Pacific Northwest as the Northwest Photography Series grows. You can help to support this distribution effort and our efforts to bring the rare and beautiful images from the Northwest Photography Series to communities throughout the region with our slide presentations by making a tax-deductible donation to the Northwest Photography Archive today.

You can support library programing by making a tax-deductible donation to the Northwest Photography Archive today!

*Above images are from Wild Beauty. View these and other images from Wild Beauty in the GALLERY.