Oregon Reads 2014

What if everyone in your community was reading the same book?  What if everyone if the state read the same book?  What would it look like if people of all ages and genders were talking, sharing, participating in reading and learning?  These questions have spawned community reading programs in communities across the US.  In 2009, the state of Oregon decided to try this out and launched its first Oregon Reads program.  In our community, we joined in with great success, bringing readers from the TVCC, adult members of our community, and school students from kindergarten up all together for some fantastic events and discussions. 

And we are doing it again!
This year, the state library has chosen to honor Oregon poet and author William Stafford in the centennial year of his birth for the 2014 Oregon Reads campaign.   Libraries and communities of all types around the state are celebrating the life and works of Stafford throughout this year.  William Stafford was one of the most prolific modern American poets, publishing over 3,000 poems as well as short stories, political writings, and other works.  He was honored as the US Poet Laureate in 1970 and served as Oregon's Poet Laureate from 1975 until he died in 1993.  This May, we are launching our celebration of Stafford and challenging you all to read some of his work. 

How can  you get involved?

• Choose one of the books below and check it out.  Your TVCC Library has several copies.  Read a book with a friend or perhaps your child.  Share your thoughts with us. 
• Come to our Intro to William Stafford night in the Library.  There will be an informative presentation on the life of Stafford and his work including clips from some of his films.  This is a free event, open to all, on Wednesday, May 7th at 6:30 p.m. in the Library.  And, if you'd like, bring your favorite Stafford poem to share.
• Come to a poetry reading featuring Oregon poet Tim Barnes.  Barnes is an English professor at Portland Community College, a published poet, and a significant voice in making Oregon writers known and heard.  For more about Tim Barnes or the work of other Oregon poets, click here. Barnes will be doing a reading of some of William Stafford's works, some of Barnes' own work, and hosting a discussion on the life of Stafford.  Again, everyone is welcome to attend this event on Thursday, May 22nd at 6:30 p.m. 
• And stay tuned for more events to come this fall including fable writing workshops, a visit with Kim Stafford, and more community wide events.

And here are this year's Oregon Reads selections:
For anyone -

A wonderful collection of Stafford's best work

Reflections about his life

A memoir of Stafford written by his son

Written while sitting in a camp for Conscientious objectors during the war, through poetry and prose Stafford captures the heart of pacifism and independent thinking

 

 

 

For Children - 

For Children and Teens -