Friends of the Library present new exhibit - 'The Art of the Book Cover'

Art is all around us. Walk into our public library, and you will see a kaleidoscope of color and imagery. Books line the shelves and are sometimes displayed with their covers facing outward to entice readers.

Before a reader turns a single page, before a critic writes a review, before a story finds its audience, the cover speaks first. It whispers mystery, announces authority, seduces curiosity, or radiates emotion. With thousands of books lining the shelves, the cover often determines whether a reader pauses or moves on. The art of the book cover sits at the intersection of literature, marketing, psychology, typography and visual storytelling. It is both commercial and artistic. It must attract attention while remaining faithful to the spirit of the text inside.

So why are covers designed the way they are? How do they influence our reading decisions? The art committee of the Fernandina Beach Friends of the Library decided to find out. They researched “The Art of the Book Cover” and put together a show to be exhibited in the Community Room of the Fernandina Beach Public Library.

The exhibit offers a chance to learn about the history of book cover publishing, the science of book cover design, the influence of e-books and independent book sellers, and much more.

The Art of the Book Cover Exhibit
July 7-Aug. 27
Fernandina Beach Library, Community Room
Presented by Friends of the Library