On average, I’ve been taking around 250 photographs per library, depending on the size. Of those, only a very small number will ultimately make it into a gallery or become print-worthy images. Photography, at least for me, has always been as much about editing and curation as it is about pressing the shutter – I enjoy both equally.
Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield is the largest library in Berkshire County, and I imagine it will produce the largest series of photographs. More space means more architectural details and more light to chase, translating to more difficult decisions in the editing process. Experience has taught me abundance is not the goal, discernment is. The work isn’t simply documenting a place, but identifying the handful of images that deserve to represent its atmosphere, character, and felt sense.
The vibe in Becket is quirky yet traditional. The people and institutions feel firmly rooted in the present moment in the Berkshires, while the town’s charm and history continue to shape their decisions.
The original Becket Athenaeum building was donated by a woman named Miss Perkins, who apparently wanted to replace “a source of evil” in the community with “a fountain of good.” That source of evil was a former saloon, which became the library’s first home from 1888 to 1928. Today’s Becket Athenaeum is in the former North Congregational Church. The church’s steeple was removed but the building retains a lot of its historic character.
I became acquainted with librarian Ellen Manley during the shoot, and the entire team was generous with their time and enthusiasm. Afterward, Ellen brought me to meet Becket Arts Center Director Jennifer Beatty to discuss the project.
These conversations have consistently become one of my favorite parts of every library visit: hearing librarians and staff share their thoughts, offer ideas, suggest collaborations, and find new ways to strengthen the project. More and more, I feel like The Last Quiet Place is quietly gathering a community of people (particularly fierce female librarians) who believe deeply in what public libraries represent and are eager to help champion the cause.
