These events are made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration between public libraries offering high-quality events. Illinois Libraries Present is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent[at]gmail.com.
Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
Navigate Your Stars: A Conversation with Jesmyn Ward [rescheduled]
Join us for an evening with two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward. Hailed as “the new Toni Morrison” by the American Booksellers Association, Jesmyn will discuss her life, her literary vision and her unique perspectives on love and loss. Tracie D. Hall, Executive Director of American Library Association, will join her in conversation.
Jesmyn Ward is the critically acclaimed author of fiction, nonfiction, and memoir, including bestselling Sing, Unburied, Sing; Salvage the Bones; and the memoir Men We Reaped. Her many honors include the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction, a MacArthur Genius Grant, and a Strauss Living Award. In 2017, she became the first woman and first person of color to win the National Book Award for Fiction twice. The standout writer of her generation, Ward’s stories are largely set on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, where she grew up and still lives. A professor of creative writing at Tulane University, Ward’s latest book, Navigate Your Stars, is an adaptation of her 2018 commencement address at Tulane that championed the value of hard work.
Tracie D. Hall is an American librarian, author, curator, and advocate for the arts. She is the first African American woman to lead the American Library Association, where she’s served as Executive Director since 2020, and fights for social justice, access to information, and universal broadband.
Wednesday, June 21, 7 pm
Join us for a special evening with Robin Wall Kimmerer, the award-winning author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. In this insightful and inspiring talk, Robin will share her unique perspective on the interconnectedness of humans and nature and the importance of recognizing and respecting the gifts of the earth. She will delve into her own experiences as a botanist, indigenous science professor, and environmental advocate, and offer insights into her journey of learning to listen to the voice of the natural world. This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the most important voices in the movement toward a more sustainable and equitable future and to be inspired to make positive changes in your own life and community.
Robin Wall Kimmerer is an acclaimed author, botanist, and indigenous science professor known for her deep connection to nature and passion for promoting a more sustainable and equitable world. Her writing blends indigenous knowledge, scientific research, and personal experiences to offer a unique perspective on the interdependence of humans and the natural world. Her first book, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, has received widespread praise and has become a touchstone in the movement towards rethinking our relationship with the earth.