Putnam County Public Library Author Series Endowment

Year Founded
2007

Purpose of Fund

The purpose of the Fund shall be to provide general financial support for the Author Lecture Series of the Putnam County Public Library, Greencastle, Indiana

History of Fund

Putnam County Public Library Author Series:
A Conversation with the Author

There is nothing quite like the experience of meeting the author of a great book. Or, hearing an author read in his or her own voice the story he has chosen to tell. Where can one go for such an experience? The Putnam County Public Library for, A Conversation with the Author!

The PCPL Author Series began in September of 2004 with Alyce Miller, author of Stopping for Green Lights and the short story collection The Nature of Longing. Often special programs are developed to engage students through interaction with the authors. Greencastle High School students had the opportunity to meet in a special after-school session with Miller to discuss her short stories, which they had read in class. Since then students from all over Putnam County have been involved in special events.

Mary Doria Russell, whose work has been recognized with nine national and international literary awards, discussed her historical novel, A Thread of Grace, in the spring of 2006. Prior to her evening reading, Russell met with high school students from North Putnam High School. They were given the choice to read any of her books in their "novels" class and share their thoughts and ideas over dinner at a local coffee house.

An appearance by Esme Raji Codell, author, media specialist and literacy advocate, kicked-off the library's 2007 "Focus on Literacy." Codell was the second author to appear in the library's 2006 - 2007 season of, A Conversation with the Author. Her book, How to Get Your Child to Love Reading, was the focus of a luncheon workshop for parents, caregivers and teachers. As a resultCodell's book was selected by the administrators and teachers at Tzouanakis Intermediate School for the 2007 - 2008 academic years as a study project for teachers to help students develop skills and a passion for reading.

Bell Hooks kicked-off the fourth season of A Conversation with the Author. Hooks spent the week of September 17 to 21 at DePauw University as The Elizabeth P. Allen Distinguished University Professor. She was "excited to have the opportunity to interact with the greater Greencastle community" through the library's author series. The author of several children's books, hooks' writings also cover a broad range of topics on gender, race, teaching and the significance of media for contemporary culture. The audience included DePauw students, faculty,children, and adult members of the Greencastle community. The author was co-sponsored by DePauw University.

In January, 2008, after a Monday evening slide presentation which gave viewers an insight into the process of creating his award-winning picture books, illustrator and artist Chris Soentpiet returned the following Thursday to take his show "on the road." Soentpiet visited South Putnam High School and Middle School, along with invited students from Central Elementary, and then traveled to Cloverdale Middle School with his slide-show and a fun drawing demonstration. He touched the lives of 450 students, in all.

From a panel of award-winning romance writers - to poets, authors of fiction, non-fiction, and illustrators - the Putnam County Public Library has provided a diverse range of writers and strived to make its series one where the public truly can have, a conversation with the author.

For more information about A Conversation with the Author, contact Margot R. Payne at (765) 653-2755, ext. 118 or visit the library's website, www.putnam.lib.in.us