Author Expo!
Northwest Regional Library (NWRL) sponsored seven Minnesota authors presenting writer’s workshops and readings in seven libraries and program in partner schools for a total of 18 events to date with and 24 events coming in the new year. This program was coordinated with Lake Agassiz Regional Library. Each author presents two programs at two libraries plus up to one additional partner program at a local school.
Completed Event Dates and Locations:
October 25-26 William Durbin Warroad & Red Lake Falls
November 15-16 Catherine Thimmesh Thief River Falls & Hallock
December 6-7 Ron Gamer Thief River Falls & Roseau
Upcoming Event Dates and Locations:
January 17-18 Will Weaver Warren & Red Lake Falls
February 14-15 Patricia Cumbie Warroad & Greenbush
March 14-15 John Coy Warren & Roseau
April 18-19 Hoena Greenbush & Hallock
Everyone from principals to group leaders and individual teachers have worked together to bring these authors into these schools.
Jan Anderson, Superintendent, Red Lake Falls Public Schools. Attendance: 100.
Jody Christian, Teacher, Warroad Public Schools. Attendance: 185
Rachel Solberg, Teacher, TRF Franklin Middle School. Attendance: 28
Jillayne Kraska, Teacher, Kittson School. Attendance: 81
Laura Brickson & Cathy DeMars, Teachers, St. Bernard's School in TRF. Attendance: 30
Wayne LePard, Principal, Roseau Schools. Attendance: 202
Program Outputs: Outputs are things you can count such as attendance, number of new participants, and the number of attendees who had never been at a similar event, and so on.
School Workshop Community
October 25 Warroad 185 1 5
October 26 Red Lake Falls 100 4 9
November 15 Thief River Falls 28 2 6
November 16 Hallock 81 5 4
December 6 Thief River Falls 30 6 9
December 7 Roseau 202 7 6
The Author Expo features seven established Minnesota authors who not only write, but also teach writing skills. These guests provided quality training to young and old, to small and large audiences, in both school and library settings. NWRL used creative and cost-effective marketing to attract the largest audiences possible including NWRL website and blog plus a new regional blog, YouTube video, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, electronic messages sent to patrons, posters, desktop publicity, newspaper ads and articles, radio interviews and MPR ads plus fliers.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status.
The following survey details were collected at the libraries only (not at partner locals).Survey ItemDurbinThimmeshGamerWeaverCumbieCoyHoenaTotalLearned a new skill.3 5 Increased knowledge.1389 Spent quality time with family/friends. 3 Better understood the topic of focus.383 Generated or refined ideas/goals. 35 Felt like a part. 43 Had fun.569 Rested, relaxed or recharged.1 5 Made a plan of action. 14 William Durbin is an award winning historical fiction writer, presenter and author of ten books.Bill presented school programs during the day and then beginning at 5:30 PM, inspired guests to write about what they know, research what they don’t, and share their story with the broadest audience possible. At 7 PM he provided a public presentation featuring his favorite clips from some of his 12 books. This program was ideal for every age group. Skills – The author shared research, writing and presentation skill training, oral histories and encouragement to writers, young and old.Attitudes – The author was knowledgeable about his topic and hearing the different things that inspired the author to write the different books inspired the guests.New Knowledge – the immigration of Fins to Castalia during the depression years, Finnish history, Fin history of Minnesota, people from Minnesota immigrated to Russia.Note – Terrible weather these days. Attendees commented that they wished more people could have come. Catherine Thimmesh is an award winning non-fiction author of five books. She presented daytime programs at two schools and at 5:30 PM, shared how to take non-fiction to whimsical new heights. The public had another opportunity to meet Catherine at 7 PM as she shared her five books, a spectacular mix of entertainment, information and inspiration. Attitudes – Participants gained an understanding of the writing, research, and editing process, specifically as it pertains to nonfiction.Skills – Writing skills were taught at the 5:30 presentation at each library.Knowledge – From the NASA space program to international women presidents to anthropology to invention and discovery, participants’ knowledge was broadened by attending this informative session based on her research and interview with many well-known experts in their fields. Ron Gamer is an author, educator and avid outdoorsman, who pooled his love of the outdoors and his zeal for the written word to create The Chance series. Having spent thirty-five years in the classroom, Ron knows how to use descriptive writing to stimulate the emotions and imaginations of even “reluctant” readers and leave them wanting more, which he demonstrated during his classroom and assembly school presentations. Ron also presented writer’s workshops and public programs at two public libraries. Attitudes – Reluctant adolescent (YA) readers were encouraged to become “lost” in outdoor adventure fiction – especially stories set in and about the woods and water of northern Minnesota.Skills – Brought along a tent and had the children help him set it up and take it down. Also covered the process of writing for publication, idea to release.Knowledge – How to avoid the pitfalls on the road to publication. The importance of a writer knowing their audience.