These 11 paintings by Jeff Whipple were commissioned for a new library in New Orleans. The newly constructed library replaced one that was destroyed by the flooding when the levies broke after Hurricane Katrina. His idea was to use people from the library's community as models for paintings depicting the appreciation of reading. Whipple went to New Orleans and photographed dozens of library patrons who posed with books. He selected sixteen models for the eleven oil paintings that hang throughout the 30,000 square foot library. Whipple was determined to make the paintings look like the models because library visitors will know and recognize them. He believes the portraits will provide a sense of community in an area that was severely damaged by the tragic flooding.

Each of the six larger paintings have scientific drawings and quotes in the background. They represent the information that a library can provide.

The paintings were selected for the "2012 Year In Review" by the Public Art Network as one of the 50 most compelling public art projects in the USA.