Minnesota Book Awards: Author Tour
Each year, SELCO provides the opportunity for libraries to have a winner of the Minnesota Book Award present their work during an author visit. This program is designed to allow library patrons and community members to interact with and learn from an award-winning author. It is a unique opportunity for in-depth conversation about everything from the inspiration behind a book to the writing process to deeper discussions about non-fiction findings. This is always an event that our libraries look forward to hosting. It is yet another example of how libraries are not just for checking out books, they are community gathering spaces as well. We work with our libraries to determine which authors they would like to come visit. A diverse mix of authors are included each year. This year, we worked with Rick Chrustowski (Children's Book Author/Illustrator), David LaRochelle (Children's/Young Adult Book Author/Illustrator), Doug Ohman (Photographer/Author), Nicole Helget (Memoirist/Novelist/Children's Book Author), and William Kent Krueger (Novelist/Mystery Writer).
1158 participated
Our goal for this is to expose our patrons and library communities to award winning authors. By doing so, we hope they look at their library as a central part of the community - a place to experience art and cultural heritage events. We also hope they grow as individuals and provide the opportunity for exposure to things they may not have otherwise had the chance to experience. The evaluation will be done through surveys and interviews.
A majority of those interviewed responded that their favorite part was meeting the author and being able to ask questions. Almost all of those surveyed responded that they see the library as a place to experience arts and cultural heritage events. Many said they were exposed to ideas they had not previously heard or books that they wouldn't normally read. Quotes from surveys: Kent explained to all of us how we have our own stories and the importance. Made me think I should be writing my stories, too! (for William Kent Krueger), " The stories that go with the photos. Great stories about lost history. Learned a lot of history. "(for Doug Ohman), "Meeting the author; Very interactive and brought real life experiences to demonstrate ties with the book and community" (for Nicole Helget), "David was really inviting, fun and engaging. The stories kept adults and children attentive" (for David LaRochelle), and "Author and illustrator Rick Chrustowski did an excellent job talking about literary devices in his writing workshop and allowed time for the kids to try a few and share them."
Pine Island History Center, Northfield Middle School, Zumbrota State Theater, Spring Grove Cinema, Chatfield Center for the Arts, LeRoy Community Center