Wilsonville Spokesman Online

Library Corner: Read, listen and discuss during March

A regular column by Greg Martin, adult services librarian

• By: Greg Martin  
• Published: 3/10/2010 3:44:35 PM

Book Bash
The Wilsonville library's Book Bash features the highly-popular "Grossology" series by Sylvia Branzei.

Here at the library, we welcome March (and a lovely spring) with our monthly series of free computer classes. Our current three-part series begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 3. Call or visit to sign up, but if this class is full (a rather likely scenario at this point), at least you can get a jump on the April set.

Conversation project
Also on Wednesday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m., the library presents the next program in our ongoing series, “The Conversation Project: A New Chautauqua.” These free programs engage community members in thoughtful, challenging conversations about ideas critical to our daily lives and our state’s future. Conversations are hosted by some of Oregon’s most respected humanities scholars who will encourage a discussion encompassing a variety of viewpoints. This time around, Veronica Dujon, professor and chair of the Sociology Department at PSU will present “Your Land, My Land: Using and Preserving Oregon’s Natural Resources.” Find out more at our Web site.

Book Clubs
On Thursday, March 11 at 4 p.m., it’s hats off to the kids with our popular Book Bash series. This time we’re featuring “Grossology” by Sylvia Branzei, which my daughter informs me with a shudder and a moue of disgust, is “a boys’ book.”
At 6 p.m., the adult book club also meets. This time, they’ll be dissecting “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Steig Larsson. The book is a spellbinding amalgam of murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue. How could anyone resist? Come prepared for an interesting discussion.

Book Notes
Then, if you’re tired of talking, come listen to Wilsonville High School’s award-winning a cappella group Soul’d Out, at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 13.
These talented kids have just won a major competition and will belt out a few for you under the auspices of the Library’s popular Book Notes Concert Series.

Northwest Author Series
On Sunday, March 14, at 3:30 p.m., our Northwest Author Series welcomes award-winning journalist Naseem Rakha, who will present “Writing What Works: How to Learn from What You Read and How to Write What People Remember.” Aspiring writers and interested parties are invited to attend and contribute to the discussion of topics such as: What pulls you into a book, and what kicks you right out? What makes you ache when a book draws to its close? Everyone’s experienced these feelings, but it is a writer’s job to dive into them, explore, figure out and then — and then either try to avoid or emulate them. The seminar will evaluate several authors’ techniques for making their writing work, including emotional content, reader investment, and subliminal connections, and plain old word, setting and character choice and development. Bring an example of a passage that you think particularly works so that we can figure out why. Just $5.

Kids and Leprechauns
On Thursday, March 18, at 4 p.m., the kids can unfurl their imaginations with the Magic Tree House Club. This month’s book is “Leprechaun in Late Winter.”  And as always, there will be games, crafts, and snacks. All for the recession-busting price of free.

Dhaka, Bangladesh
Here’s an early warning: On Wednesday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m., we offer another Conversation Project. This time it’s photojournalist and Fulbright Scholar Geoffrey Hiller presenting his photographs and hosting discussion on “Life in a Mega-City: Images of Urban Bangladesh.” Bangladesh, which is the size of Wisconsin, is home to more than 150 million inhabitants, including 15 million in the capital city of Dhaka alone. Considered one of 22 mega cities in the world, Dhaka continues to reinvent itself on a weekly basis as new industries spring up and rural citizens flock to the city for jobs and opportunities.

Please don’t forget your book donations. This month’s Friends of the Library partner is the Family Fun Center. Bring in at least a bag of donated books and receive a raffle ticket. At the end of the month, five lucky winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate.
 

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