Doug Wood - Earth Songs, Earth Stories - musician/author/storyteller
Participants will enjoy original music and storytelling in a high-caliber performance while learning about another culture. Encouraging them to reflect on the relation of their own upbringing to this music and exposing them to new forms of music, stories, and library experiences.
Surveys were distributed to participants at all programs. 98% agreed that this was an enjoyable experience and 88% agreed that they would attend a similar event. Library staff noted that teachers were thankful we could arrange for Doug to perform at the schools so students could see, hear, and learn about being an author and the books, stories and music that Doug has created. Participants like his "multi-tasking - singing, telling stories, informing, motivating a strong message to students about Minnesota and nature". Teachers learned about several other books that they could use in their class and appreciated that Dave discussed his experience with dyslexia and ADHD with the students. One participant noted that "I am inspired to write the stories in my head and heart and to do the artwork I have wanted to do form many years."
The following public libraries provided space, staff, and additional promotion for the programs: Cloquet (at the Queen of Peace school), Ely, Gilbert (at school), Grand Rapids, and Virginia (at school) libraries and approximately 8 regional newspapers.