By John Maruskin

Sun columnist

During November, the Clark County Public Library will feature three wonderful exhibits. Plan to see them. If you’re having friends or family in town for Thanksgiving, bring them to the library.

In the library lobby, you’ll see a replica of the original Gutenberg Bible. Larry Carmichael, the Clark County resident who, in January, displayed a number of Bible replicas from the 13th through the 17th centuries, recently acquired a replica of the original Gutenberg and will allow the library to display it.

Written in Latin, the Gutenberg Bible is an edition of the Vulgate, printed by Johannes Gutenberg, in Mainz, in present-day Germany, in the 1450s.The Gutenberg Bible was the first major book printed in Europe using mass-produced movable metal type. It marked the start of the “Gutenberg Revolution” and the age of the printed book in the West. Its artistic qualities make it an icon of Western publishing. (Wikipedia, wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutenberg_Bible).

If you are interested in religious artifacts, the evolution of print, the history of publishing, art or general history, you’ll want to see this Gutenberg facsimile.

Winchester watercolor artist Rose Swope will be exhibit her work in the Rose Mary Codell Brooks Community Room in November.

Swope uses a Zen painting technique that allows her to manipulate paints poured directly onto a canvas. Then she moves it to create forms and effects she wants. She said she puts her mind, heart and soul into each of her works, depicting places and things she loves.

Her style is distinctly her own, developed over decades of practice; each painting has its own distinct composition. She doesn’t paint by formula or for one conventional effect.

Henry James wrote, “The only success worth one’s powder was success in the line of one’s idiosyncrasy…what was talent but the art of being completely whatever it was that one happened to be. One’s things were characteristic or were nothing.”

Swope’s paintings are characteristic and they are really something. Be sure to see her exhibit during November. It will be open to the public anytime the Community room is not in use. If the door is inadvertently locked when you come to see the paintings, please see circulation staff or me about having the room opened.

Clark County fiber artist Joyce Thompson has an exhibit of her needlework in the library’s reference area throughout November. There are seven reproductions of Japanese kimonos, three geometric samplers, two flower pictures and a fabulous-I mean really breathtakingly brilliant-lakeside landscape with birds, butterflies, flowers, and trees.

Joyce’s technique is so fine and her sense of color so perfect you’ll have a hard time believing her needlework is not paint or pen and ink. Have a seat in one of the comfortable reference area reading chairs and let yourself be transported by Joyce’s work.

Sometimes you can learn a lot just by looking. November will be a great month for looking around the library.

Programs this week:

— Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m., It’s sing-a-long time! Five years after the events of Mamma Mia! (2008), Sophie prepares for the grand reopening of the Hotel Bella Donna as she learns more about her mother’s past. A 2018 film. Rated PG-13.

— Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m., Jeff Gurnee heats brains to a bubbly cheese with trivia challenges at the Engine House Pizza Pub.

— Thursday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., AARP Driver Safety Program presented by AARP volunteer instructor Vicki Crump. Kentucky AARP members 50 and older are invited to attend this special driving education course. Kentucky has approved a driving insurance discount for residents older than 50 who take this course. You must register to take this class.

— Friday, Nov. 9, 10 AM, Write on with Write Local. Bring in your work in progress.

If you’re thinking about your Thanksgiving menu, the library is full of scrumptious ideas.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.