A world of artistic wonders is intricately laid out in a complex labyrinth, beckoning those who find creation in their souls to step forward with a warm and welcoming presence. A place encompassing compassion, innovation and community underneath its vaulted ceilings, voices of the past can be heard whispering stories of long ago. Masterpieces curated by experts are draped against the walls, their subject’s gazes regal and omniscient.
For many, a museum or a library is a place they might have been dragged to by their parents on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Forced to stare at stationary statues, perplexing paintings and boring books created by some historical figure long before they even knew the difference between a circle and a square. Yet, for those who look close enough, these inventive places are laced with fascination and opportunity for new ideas and discoveries.
Having always had a deep connection and appreciation for the arts, the Head of Library Outreach and Communications at the Fairfield University DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Lisa Thornell identifies with those who find themselves aligning with the latter. Attending Marist College and receiving a B.A. in Art History and Studio Arts, Thornell extends her gratitude for her parents’ unwavering support. “My parents never doubted me when I said that I wanted to be an art major,” the now librarian states, explaining how lucky she still feels to have such a stable support unit. Art teachers, recognition through exhibited work and awards as well as the kindness exuded by childhood Librarians helped Thornell to take this leap into the artistic realm as well.
Whilst at Marist, Thornell was the co-founder of a club named “Red Ink.” This group created a safe space for anyone to express their creativity and connect with others through almost any art medium. This is where Thornell found her passion for helping others, as she was able to find a place that not only fostered creative minds but helped the community in doing so. College was also the space where she discovered she had a knack for helping others in their educational pursuits. “Really I was more interested in what other people were working on than my own work,” Thornell explained, adding that wanting to help students get the perfect bit of information was what drove her.
Landing a job at the college library, Thornell was able to turn these passions into her livelihood. “It was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to be at Libraries,” the art lover states, explaining how she had worked at her town’s library in high school as well.
As she neared graduation, Thornell continued her work at the library and with the arts, still not exactly sure what career path she wanted to pursue. “There has to be a way to marry art and libraries,” Thornell recalls thinking to herself. So she went on to study at Long Island University to receive a Master’s in Library and Information Science, specifically in Rare Books and Special Collections. Thornell even earned an Archives and Records Management Certificate, opening many doors within the literary and museum job market.
Although she attended college in New York, Thornell found herself with an unbreakable tie to Fairfield University very early on. Her boyfriend studied at Fairfield and in her time visiting she was exposed to the great sense of community the students on campus engaged with. Now geared with her Master’s, when an opportunity opened up to work with Fairfield University, Thornell could not ignore her friends’ as well as her boyfriend’s raving reviews. The university was looking for someone to support faculty research for art history and the rest of the visual performing arts. With what can only be described as wedding bells ringing, it was the perfect marriage between each of Thornell’s passions. Feeling like a second home, the recent graduate had an amazing feeling about working for Christina Mcgown, Dean of the Library and University Librarian, and said “I do” to working for the University ever since. Those weren’t the only I do’s declared, as the museum and library lover went on to marry her then-boyfriend, after he proposed in the very spot they had their first date, the “Met”.
During her time at Fairfield University, Thornell has deeply enjoyed her role in planning and executing library events. Attributing the most joy from being able to come up with creative ideas that connect with people in truly meaningful ways. Being able to foster ideas and help students put pen to paper is another very fulfilling aspect for Thornell. Her reach outstretching past the library walls, Thornell works alongside Dr. Rose, professor of art history and visual culture. “Lisa spearheads many initiatives that bring the university community together.” Dr. Rose states, explaining that, “Lisa constantly makes great things happen, with enthusiasm and care,” when speaking about an upcoming student art exhibition.
While it is a stereotype that librarians spend all their time reading, Thornell has time to do almost anything but. A mother of two, Thornell spends her time outside of the Library studying for her MFA in Creative Writing at Fairfield University, and at night while her kids are all settled, she sits in her bookcase-filled living room to write. In discussing their career, almost everyone is asked the question about where they see themselves in five years. For Thornell, she is trying to be more present, while still looking forward to being at Fairfield and creating a positive difference.
While museums and libraries are spaces often associated with lackluster emotions surrounding education, they are places that continue to bring ideas as well as communities closer together in a world that continues to be polarized. Located at almost every university and town center across America, libraries—and even the museums they can be found with, still uphold great importance within the 21st century.
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