The significance of community and storytelling is at the heart of Stillwater Public Library’s upcoming community-wide “Stillwater Reads” series taking place Sept. 4-28. The series books include the 2024 Oklahoma Book Award winner “Listen” by Sheldon Russell and the children’s book “Nowhere Better Than Here” by Sarah Guillory. Both authors will make in-person appearances during the series.

“Listen” follows the journey of a young man who takes a job with the Federal Writers’ Project and gets assigned to interview the inhabitants of a fictional rural town in northwest Oklahoma. 

The Federal Writers’ Project (FWP) was an initiative of the New Deal’s Federal Project One, which ran from 1935 to 1943. The FWP was part of the more widely known Works Progress Administration (WPA), and provided employment opportunities to writers, journalists and researchers across the United States who were tasked with recording the stories of thousands of Americans. 

“‘Listen’ has so many interesting facets,” said Library Director Stacy DeLano. “It takes place during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The main character is working for a WPA program, and the narrative reveals the lives and stories of the people who make up this small community.”

“Stillwater Reads” is the library’s eleventh community reading series and the second one that includes an option for children. 

“The goal is to unite the community through reading,” DeLano said. “It’s important for us to include children so families can participate together, and everyone can be a part of the conversation.”

The kids’ selection, “Nowhere Better Than Here,” focuses on a young girl living in a small coastal town affected by flooding, who uses storytelling to help her community. Guillory’s novel is written for youth in fourth through seventh grades.

“The importance of oral history and storytelling connects the adult and youth book selections,” DeLano added. “We hope that the supplemental programs planned for the series will build on these themes.”

Readers interested in participating can start picking up a free copy of the book on August 18. Adults must sign up to attend a book discussion to get their books, and the library is offering 12 discussion options with various dates and times available. 

A full schedule of associated programs planned for September relates to different aspects of the books. Registration is required to attend each program, and door prizes will be given away at all events. Series programs include:

• Thursday, Sept. 4, 7-9 p.m.  – Readers can gain insight into “Listen” in an interview with Author Sheldon Russell and OSU’s Dr. Mary Larson. A book signing will follow.
• Tuesday, Sept. 9, 6-7 p.m. – Dr. Matthew Pearce, Oklahoma Historical Society’s State Historian, will discuss the history of WPA architecture, with a focus on local structures.
• Saturday, Sept. 13, 2-4 p.m. – Children’s author Sarah Guillory will discuss her inspiration for writing “Nowhere Better Than Here” and sign books. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission will provide hands-on science activities.
• Wednesday, Sept. 17, 6-8 p.m. – Patrick Daglaris, Associate Professor and Oral History Archivist for the Oral History Research Program at OSU’s Library, will present “Oral History 101” to help attendees get started on recording their own oral histories. 
• Tuesday, Sept. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Meridian Technology will present “Podcasting for Beginners” for adults and teens ages 12 and up interested in starting a podcast.
• Friday, Sept. 26, 7-8:30 p.m. – Local dance instructor Janice Hunter will teach basic Western swing dance steps to prepare participants for the community picnic and swing music finale.
• Sunday, Sept. 28, 1-4 p.m. – Celebrate a month of reading and learning together with a 1930s-style community picnic at Block 34 with games, live Western swing music from the band Oklahoma Swing and dancing. Bring a picnic lunch and a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on. The library will provide drinks and pie.

During the month of September, the library will offer additional activities throughout the community. The children’s librarian is collaborating with Stillwater elementary schools and the OSU Library on a hands-on oral history project. Additionally, Stillwater Public Library will add oral history kits to its collection of “Take It, Make It” kits, which will include digital recorders and informational guides available for checkout by adults and children. Finally, the Oklahoma Historical Society exhibit, “Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry,” will be on display in the main library building Aug. 18-Sept. 28.

For more information, and to register for programs, visit the series website at stillwaterok.gov/StwReads or contact the Help Desk at (405) 372-3633 x8106.

“Stillwater Reads” is funded by the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library. Books are provided courtesy of the Amazon Think Big program. Additional support is provided by Oklahoma State University Library, the Oklahoma Historical Society, Block 34, Meridian Technology Center and Stillwater Public Schools.