the september project » public talk

Welcome back, Public Library Berio of Genoa!

sarah — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:52:28 +0000

We were very pleased to hear from the Public Library Berio of Genoa (Italy) this year, which is participating in the September project for the 5th time. Welcome back!

This year our commemoration is called “WAR! – Yesterday’s and today’s conflicts,” a public conference with a slide show by Livio Senigalliesi, photojournalist.

From the falling of the Wall in Berlin to the civil war in former Jugoslavia, from Iraq to Kurdistan, from the genocide in Rwanda to the wars in Caucasus… the report of more than 20 years of history of the world in the career of a war photography freelance.

Livio Senigalliesi, from Milan, has published wide coverages on the most important european magazines and newspapers: Corriere della Sera, Repubblica, l’Europeo, l’Espresso, Epoca, Panorama, Il Manifesto, Avanguardia, El Pais, Liberation, Facts, Die Welt, Berliner Morgenpost, Stern, Frankfurter Allgemeine, Time Magazine.

Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq

teresacgarcia — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:04:56 +0000

Cynthia Garrick, the reference services librarian for Yakima Valley Libraries in Washington, just announced details of their September Project, “Coming Home From War.” Yakima Valley Libraries will show Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq. In this heartbreaking documentary, three-time Emmy winner James Gandolfini interviews ten wounded soldiers who served in Iraq. The film explores the sacrifices that soldiers make in service to their country.

Following the film, Maria Rivera, the readjustment counselor for Yakima Vet Center and Graciela Marroquin, the Wraparound Care Coordinator for Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health will answer questions about the challenges soldiers face upon their return from combat.

U.S. Soldier Will Discuss Women’s Issues in Afghanistan

teresacgarcia — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:02:32 +0000

Cynthia Dutton has just notified us that Cuba Circulating Library in New York will present a talk by Public Affairs Officer Maj. Katherine Oliver, who was deployed to Afghanistan. She will discuss the people and culture of Afghanistan, with a special emphasis on issues that directly affect women. This talk will complement a book discussion on A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, bestselling author of The Kite Runner.

What is so awesome about this event is how it gives people a chance to hear about what life is like in Afghanistan from an American hero who actually served there. We also applaud their efforts to discuss “women’s issues” because matters that concern women invariably concern society as a whole.

Exploring the Cultures of Iran: A Global Project

teresacgarcia — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:10:18 +0000

Dr. Irina Gendelman just notified us that Saint Martin’s University O’Grady Library in Washington will participate in The September Project 2009 by educating their patrons on the history and current events of Iranian culture.

As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Iran has contributed greatly to our understanding of literature, art, science, math and philosophy. Therefore, O’Grady Library will:

Facilitate a discussion of Twitter and its role in recent Iranian street protests
Show Persepolis, a film based on a graphic novel by an Iranian writer Marjane Satrapi
Set up an interactive display on Iranian culture. Faculty and students are invited to participate by sharing their classroom assignments that explore the culture(s) of Iran. These projects will be documented and shared with libraries all over the world!

What we love so much about this September Project is that, in addition to being very informative and educational, it creatively utilizes technology to reach people around the globe. By digitally documenting the faculty and student projects, librarians will be able to share these great ideas with countless people. It is truly a global collaboration because participants get a chance to educate the world through their projects.

Morton Grove Public Library hosts book review

teresacgarcia — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:15:16 +0000

What does it mean to be a hero? Some may picture traditional comic book characters, while others think of civil rights leaders. Or may be, it’s the guy working hard to put his kids through college. Either way, there are many perceptions of what classifies a “hero.” This September, the Morton Grove Public Library will host a book review called Heroes by Barbara Rinella.

Barbara Rinella is a former high school English teacher who promotes literature and learning. Every year, Rinella designs a program that teaches people about books. For this event, Rinella will be talking about the book The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw. This book highlights American heroes and heroines during the age of the Great Depression and World War II. Barbara Rinella will focus on American heroes such as Amelia Earhart and Erma Bombek who are portrayed in this book.

We’re excited to hear that Morton Grove Public Library will be participating this year and that they have such an interesting event planned! The event will be on September 11 at 2:00 p.m.

4th Year TSP Veterans: Indian Prairie Public Library

teresacgarcia — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:58:06 +0000

We were thrilled to hear from our old friend and September Project veteran Cindy Kline, Adult Program Coordinator at Indian Prairie Public Library, from Darien, Illinois. This will be their fourth year participating in The September Project!

This year, Indian Prairie Public Library will be hosting actor R.J. Lindsey who will present Thomas Paine: Voice of the American Revolution.

Living history actor RJ Lindsey portraying Thomas Paine

Photo from Historyactor’s Flickr Photostream

In the past, Indian Prairie Public Library has hosted other amazing TSP events such as “The Lincoln Douglas Debates” traveling exhibit and “A Conversation with Thomas Jefferson,” portrayed by actor Phil Lauricella.

Conversations In Another World: Alexandrian Free Library (Second Life)

sarah — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:55:28 +0000

When we started the September Project five years ago, Second Life was barely a year old, and barely a blip on the scene, much less a location in which we expected events to take place. This year we have two events happening In World, and this one is the trailblazer. From Riven Homewood:

Freedom and Independence in Virtual Worlds: a Conversation with Tom Bukowski

Sunday, Sept. 21, 1pm SLT
Virtual American Anthropologist Amphitheater, Anteater Island, SecondLife

The Alexandrian Free Library is pleased to present a second discussion led by Tom Bukowski, author of the book Coming of Age in SecondLife. This discussion will focus on the concepts of freedom and independence, and how these concepts are expressed in a virtual world such as SecondLife. It will be the first September Project event ever held in SecondLife.

We will consider topics such as these: What does freedom mean in a place where you can literally look and behave like anyone or anything you wish? How do individuals and communities on SL decide what customs they will follow? Why do many people on SecondLife choose to participate in lifestyles that severely restrict their virtual freedom? What does independence mean in a world that belongs to a private corporation? How much of what we do on SecondLife is determined by the code that runs SL and how much is actually open to
our own choice?

Now this is the beauty of SecondLife: wherever you may be on September 21, consider checking out this event!

Electronic voting, Will Rogers, and Harry Potter, at Radford Public Library (VA)

sarah — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:57:48 +0000

Toni Cox, from the Radford Public Library, in Radford, VA posted a very simple message with a poster outlining her very impressive schedule of events that is anything BUT simple. Bravo, Toni! What an impressive program you’ve organized for your community!

The September Project: Celebrating Democracy and Citizenship in a post 9-11 World

Will Your Vote Be Counted; Is Electronic Voting Safe? Part 1
Wednesday, September 17 at 6:00
Movie and Discussion moderated by Dr. Bill Kovarik, from Radford University School of Communication. Free viewing of the documentary about the Diebold voting machines, and one woman’s quest to uncover the truth.

Will Rogers, One Man Show by Steve Huppert
Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30
Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate; now what’s going to happen to us with both a Senate and a House?

Will Your Vote Be Counted; Is Electronic Voting Safe? Part 2
Political Conversation on National & Local Issues
Sunday, September 28 at 2:30
Featuring a panel discussion with: Radford’s Voting registrar, Tracy Howard; President of the League of Women Voters, Dr. Mary Houska; and from Radford University: Dr. Prem Uppuluri, Information Technology. Moderated by Dr. Clay Waite, School of Communication.

Is Harry Potter Dangerous?
Tuesday, September 30 at 6:30
Featuring a panel discussion with professors from Radford University English Department: Dr. Renee Dickinson, Dr. Kathryn Kelly and Dr. Robert Williams

All events are free and open to the public and will be held at the Radford Public Library.

A lively discussion with music as a complement: Cabrillo College Library (CA)

sarah — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:10:58 +0000

It is with great pleasure that we read the post from Topsy Smalley, Instruction Librarian, where she shared news with us that Cabrillo College Library, a longtime participant in the project, was again organizing a September Project event. Read on:

The September Project at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California, is being combined with recognition of Constitution Day. The event takes place on September 17, from 2-4 pm in the historic Sesnon House on the campus.

Brian King, the college President, will introduce the program. History professor Michael Mangin will moderate. Cheryl Anderson, Director of Choral Activities, and choral students will give a musical presentation. Other presentations include professor emeritus Morton Marcus speaking on Threats to the Constitution; Political Science professor Bill Hill speaking on the Electoral College; and Political Science Sandi Davie speaking on Changes to the Electoral College.

We expect a lively discussion to follow.”

And we hope to hear more about what happened at the event, and here’s hoping it truly is lively!

A collaborative effort in Seattle

sarah — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:24:57 +0000

Our friend John Klockner just let us know about his organization’s collaboration with the King County Library System and the ACLU of WA. John’s participation in the September Project is especially sweet, as John was here at the beginning, as the September Project’s Technology Director, guiding us through code and algorithms we didn’t understand and helping us see how technology could be used to bring libraries from around the globe, together.

John is now the Executive Director at Puget Sound Access, a non-profit that facilitates communication through community events and media. We’re pleased to welcome John, Puget Sound Access, the ACLU of WA, and the King County Library System as participants in this year’s September Project! Here’s their program:

Puget Sound Access and the Washington State ACLU are partnering for a series of events celebrating free speech around Constitution Day at selected King County Libraries.

Our “Freedom to Speak!” presenters include:

* Porter Bayne, Founder, Ameritocracy.com
* Darcy Burner, Candidate, 8th Congressional District
* Dow Constantine, King Council Council Member
* Robert Cumbow, Attorney
* Judy Endejan, Attorney
* Bob Hasegawa, State Representative
* Charles Johnson, Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice
* James Neff, Seattle Times Investigative Editor
* Paul Nelson, Founder, Global Voices Radio
* Sue Parisien, Assistant Attorney General
* Larry Phillips, King Council Council Member
* Bill Ptacek, Director, King County Library System
* Jan Strout, Co-director, Reclaim the Media
* Dave Upthegrove, State Representative

These free public moderated panel discussions and question and answer sessions will be held from 7-9PM at King County Libraries in Auburn (9/17), Burien (9/17), Woodinville (9/17) and Bellevue (9/18).

The events will also be broadcast in full on Puget Sound Access television and be available as streamed media on the Web.

More information — including pre-event videos, links to Free Speech book resources, and an interactive Free Speech news article time line — are available at the Freedom to Speak Website at civildialogues.org.

If you’re in the Seattle area this September, don’t miss out on these events!