All Pikes Peak Reads
Posted on October 6, 2008
I am so proud and happy to play even a small part in sharing the Pikes Peak Library District’s “All Pikes Peak Reads” program with the public. As in past years, CC is a presenting community partner.
Having worked in libraries in my former life, I know that most communities, and most libraries, sponsor some type of one town, one book program. But the PPLD takes it to a much higher level, with 100% participation by the local public school districts and the extensive involvement of the performing arts.
This year, “All Pikes Peak Reads” Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” and Timothy Egan’s nonfiction work, “The Worst Hard Time.”
Every year, Theatreworks commissions an original play based on the APPR book. If you haven’t seen “The Grapes of Wrath” at Theatreworks yet, be sure and make plans now. It’s amazing. The acting and the set design are first-rate.
Last Thursday, Tim Egan came to Colorado Springs and did 3 public readings, one of which was held here at Armstrong Hall. He was thoughtful and engaging and he really enjoyed talking with people about their own Dust Bowl stories during the book signing afterward. It was a pleasure to meet him.
Next week, Dr. Gregory Squires from George Washington University will come and give another series of free public lectures about the Grapes of Wrath, arguing that there is no such thing as a “natural disaster.” In other words, really bad things usually happen to really poor people, and it’s not by accident, whether it’s the Dust Bowl or Katrina. You can catch him at CC on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7pm.
I’m happy to co-sponsor his visit with PPLD and our friends at PPCC. We collaborate every year with the librarians at PPCC and UCCS to help sponsor one or two public lectures aimed at the adult audience as part of APPR.
Congratulations to Paula Miller, B&CA board member, and executive director of one of the best public library systems in the United States!
I’m not just saying that—the public library rankings were released last week and PPLD is ranked #9 in the nation, beating out libraries in much larger cities. People really love PPLD and use their local branch libraries often. Rightly so.
Congratulations to Paula and to Dee Vazquez and Cal Otto, who have chaired APPR for the last 5 years and have done a tremendous job.
best to all,
Connie
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[...] Connie Dudgeon, Colorado College’s community relations manager, has posted a blog about All Pikes Peak Reads 2008. To read her kind words, click here. [...]