Smithsonian Institution Brings Water/Ways Exhibit to Ada Public Library

By Sunnie Dawn Smith

As part of their educational mission, the Smithsonian Institution will occasionally put together traveling exhibits that are designed to bring museum quality exhibits to parts of the country that might not otherwise have access to these types of things.

When Ada Public Library director Jolene Poore first found out from the Oklahoma Humanities Council about the Smithsonian Institution Water/Ways Exhibit, she knew that her library needed to apply for a grant to host it.

The application process was difficult and time consuming, but in the end it was worth it. Ada Public Library is one of only five libraries in the state that received approval to host the traveling exhibit. Through the course of the process, staff members had to provide details of the additional activities the library would provide. The selection committee had to do a site visit to make sure that the location was suitable and secure, and even after that process, they still had more questions. Poore said it was one of the most challenging grants she has ever had to apply for, and as director of a public library, that is saying something.

One of the great things about the exhibit, Poore said, is that the Smithsonian Institution knows exactly what they are doing and helped the library through every part of the setup and installation. The exhibit is designed to be put together by the community, from the unpacking of the boxes and installation to the interaction of the community at large with the exhibit. While it is up to the Smithsonian to provide the educational tools, it is up to the community to truly make it their own.

“Water/Ways, an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, explores the relationship between people and water,” according to information from the Smithsonian Institution. “It explores the centrality of water in our lives, including its effect on the environment and climate, its practical role in agriculture and economic planning and its impact on culture and spirituality.”

This exhibit showcases the far-reaching impact of water in everybody’s life. Not only do people need water to survive, but water also has a profound impact on culture

The Smithsonian Institution selected Ada Public Library as one of only five public libraries to host its Water/Ways Exhibit, which includes interactive and educational community activities through Oct. 12 that focus on the role of water in our world. PHOTO BY NICHOLAS GEISLER

ranging from fishing to agriculture to water parks to baptismal fonts.

The exhibit features five different sections that focus on different ways that water affects communities and individuals. This is an interactive, hands-on exhibit that allows people to investigate as they learn. There are also three interactive multimedia stations – two that allow visitors to delve more deeply into the topics and issues that interest them the most and one that is a water management game that challenges to manage water allocation in a community. Playing the game gives the participants a sense of the delicate balance that water managers face on a daily basis.

As a part of the exhibit, though, the Ada Public Library had to supplement the materials the Smithsonian loaned them with community activities, bringing together their own wealth of information and activities to engage all ages of the community. A complementary exhibit, History of Ada’s Water, will run Sept. 9-Oct. 12 at the Ada Public Library at 124 S Rennie Ave. This exhibit developed by the community will explore the history and impact of water on Ada and its development.

In addition to this, there are also many other community-led activities. The Ada Library Friends are hosting a Popsicle Boat Build Contest at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 for all ages. Several categories will be available, including creativity and speed. Bruce Moring will guide a Water Walk around Wintersmith Park at 5 p.m. on Sept. 22, which will highlight the unique forms of life that call Wintersmith home. This will begin at the stage at Wintersmith and end up there by the time Music in the Park starts at 6 p.m. Family Movie Night will be at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Ada Public Library.

At 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, East Central University professor and poet, Ken Hada, will do a multimedia presentation about the collaboration with his brother, Duane Hada, a watercolor artist, and his poetic responses recorded in their book, “The River White: A Confluence of Brush and Quill.” Volunteers from Blue Thumb – a nationally recognized water quality education program – will provide information at 6 p.m. on Oct. 8 about how locals can protect their streams and rivers. Finally, Erick O Anang, Terrie A. Becerra, Charles Peaden and Christine Pappas with ECU will present a panel discussion on water conservation behaviors and attitudes in Ada, springing from their upcoming published research. The Ada Public Library will announce the time and date for this event shortly.

The Smithsonian Institution Water/Ways Exhibit will be on display at the Ada Public Library through Oct. 12 during regular hours of operation: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.. Any schools interested in field trips or groups wanting to view the exhibit after hours are encouraged to contact the library at (580) 436-8125. www.adahub.com • 5