Most people go to the library to read not to paint, but for the last six weeks, the new Incline Library has become muralist Sara Smith's studio. A colorfully painted, 100-foot scene stretches high across the inside wall of the library. It may seem bizarre to some, but painting in a library makes sense to Smith because books have always been a large influence in her paintings, she said.

"This project is really special to me because I grew up in libraries, they were my favorite place to be (as a child) and inspired me to paint," said Smith, a Kings Beach resident.

The concept of using books as an inspiration for life is the theme for Smith's mural. Stacked in piles beside her as she painted were books she used for references. The Smithsonian Book of Books by Michael Olmert was the book Smith used the most.

"A library is the best place for me to work because it is full of resources," she said.

The mural incorporates famous quotes and exotic places on 12 panels above the book cases. The panels show different fantasy worlds linked together with paintings of open books and quotes from famous authors. Smith took four weeks to develop a concept and another seven weeks of painting.

The quote, "Libraries are not made they grow" by Augustine Birrel is the first quote on the mural and is placed under a painting of a tree growing books. A child is standing under the tree and reading a book. The quote and painting reflect the mission statement of the library and how the mural will enhance people's experience in the library.

"I'm hoping the imagery will add to the experience of going to the library," Smith said.

Smith said she was also influenced by the library's mission statement: The library is a gateway to our heritage and to our future, offering, through knowledgeable staff and broad resources, boundless opportunities for enrichment and discovery.

"The mural expresses the idea that books open boundaries and are transformative, everyone will get something different from them," she said.

The concept was a collaborative effort developed from conversations with library employees and donors Andrew Whyman and Barbara Perlman-Whyman, Smith said, all of whom are thrilled about the process and the finished mural.

"Sara was wonderful and willing to take ideas from the community," Perlman-Whyman said.

"I like how Sara incorporated things that are unique to Tahoe with the rest of the world, and even things on other planets," library branch manager Pam Rassmussen said.

Rassmussen and Perlman-Whyman said they want to see art in public places because it exposes people, who wouldn't necessarily go to a gallery, to art.

"Art in public places is important because it integrates art into everyday life," Perlman-Whyman said.

It also reflects the community.

"What is on that wall is the spirit of Incline," Perlman-Whyman said.