Library launches new ‘Let’s Talk About It’ series in February
(Stillwater, OK) – The Stillwater Public Library’s newest book discussion series encourages the community to explore how indigenous peoples have continued to shape the history and culture of Oklahoma. The theme, “Coming and Going in Oklahoma Indian Country” was created by author Joy Harjo, and features a mix of short stories, memoirs, personal essays and poetry written by contemporary native authors. Participants will read and discuss five titles from Feb. 20 through May 15.
“Let’s Talk About It” is an Oklahoma Humanities (OH) program that connects community members through literature and meaningful conversations. Each program includes a presentation on a book by local scholar, followed by small group book discussions. Programs take place on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar, located at 702 S. Duncan St.
Library Director Stacy DeLano has expressed her gratitude to the Stillwater History Museum for hosting the series.
“The library and museum have partnered to bring a ‘Let’s Talk About It’ series to Stillwater each spring and fall so there is one taking place throughout the year,” DeLano said. “Because the library has reduced meeting space while we replace our fire suppression system, we needed an alternate location. Like many of our other amazing partners, the museum graciously offered to host our scholar presentations and book discussions so that this important reading program can continue without interruption.”
Librarian Emily States hopes to learn more about the complex history of Oklahoma from contemporary native viewpoints and what it means to care for our culture and one another.
In the essay written as an introduction to this series, Joy Harjo compares culture to a person that is “dynamic when there is movement in and out, like breathing.”
Harjo adds that the process of writing and reading stories, and retelling and remembering those stories, is “how we take care of the generations who follow, how we take care of each other, how we contribute to what is now known as Oklahoma.”
The first book is available to pick up at the library starting Friday, Jan. 24. Participants may pick up a copy of each book to read before the programs. Unlike some of the library’s community reading series, these books are borrowed from OH and are not for participants to keep.
Book titles and descriptions, program dates and scholars include:
Feb. 20 – “Cheyenne Madonna” by Eddie Chuculate, with scholar Dr. Karen Neurohr, Professor in the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program in the Oklahoma State University Library. A gritty and humorous prize-winning collection of short stories that follows a young Native American, Jordan Coolwater, as he goes from a bored young boy to a thoughtful teenager, a struggling artist, an escaped convict, and finally, a father.
Mar. 13 – “Crazy Brave” by Joy Harjo, with scholar Dr. Patricia Loughlin, Professor of History in the Department of History and Geography at the University of Central Oklahoma. In this memoir, grounded in tribal myth and ancestry, music, and poetry, Joy Harjo details her journey to becoming a poet. Born in Oklahoma, the end place of the Trail of Tears, Harjo grew up learning to dodge an abusive stepfather by finding shelter in her imagination, a deep spiritual life, and connection with the natural world.
April 3– “Leaving Holes” by Joe Dale Tate Nevaquaya, with scholar Dr. Sara Richter, retired Professor of English from Oklahoma Panhandle State University. A collection featuring short haiku-like poems and longer, multi-part poems, often interweaving descriptions of nature and people, depicting the play of light, and incorporating family and other loved ones.
April 24 – “The Woman Who Watches Over the World: A Native Memoir” by Linda Hogan, with scholar Shanley Wells-Rau, MFA in Creative Writing and Poetry and an instructor at OSU. Hogan recounts her difficult childhood as the daughter of an army sergeant, her love affair at age fifteen with an older man, the legacy of alcoholism, the troubled history of her adopted daughters, and her own physical struggles since a recent horse accident.
May 15 – “Choctalking on Other Realities” by LeAnne Howe, with scholar Dr. Traci Floreani, English Professor at Oklahoma City University. A collection of stories and essays written with wry humor and depicting the contradictions and absurdities that transpire in a life lived crossing cultures and borders. The result is three parts memoir, one part absurdist fiction, and one part realism.
This series is free and open to the public, but space is limited to 50 participants due to the number of books available. Those interested in participating should sign up online at stillwaterok.gov/Library, by phone at (405) 372-3633 x8106 or in person at the library’s Help Desk. Individuals do not have to attend all five sessions to participate in the series, but they should be able to attend most of them.
Books, services and other materials for this series are provided by Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH. Generous funding and support for this series are also provided by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, McCasland Foundation, Oklahoma City Community Foundation and Oklahoma City University. For more information about OH, visit okhumanities.org.
The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday- Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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