One State/One Story Community Read 2022: World Of Wonders

You may have seen our recent blog entry (https://www.cdpl.lib.in.us/elementor-14785/), social media posts, or the insert included in the Spring 2022 newsletter from the Carnegie Museum advertising our participation in the One State/One Story Community Read program, offered by Indiana Humanities. IH selected Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks and Other Astonishments for this year’s Community Read title. This beautiful book is a collection of essays and reflections on the natural world and features whimsical illustrations by Fumi Nakamura. If you weren’t able to snag a book kit when they were first offered a few weeks ago, don’t worry, you can still participate! CDPL has copies available for checkout in non-fiction (590 Nez), CD Audiobook (CDBK 590 Nez), and also as a downloadable e-book through Libby and Hoopla.

So what is the One State/One Story program anyway, and why are we participating? IH conducts the One State/One Story Community Read program annually to encourage Hoosiers to engage in a state-wide discussion about the same book. CDPL and CMMC joined forces to apply for a small grant to develop complementary programs and formed a committee to plan our initial series of events. We dubbed our program “Nurturing Through Nature: One People, One Planet” and will be offering four main events:

● Sugar Creek Water Panel Discussion (@ CMMC, Thurs. Apr. 21st, 7-8 p.m.)

● Nature Day (@ CMMC, Sat. June 18th, 1-4 p.m.)

● Book Discussion (@ CMMC, Thurs. July 28th, 7-8 p.m.)

● Nature Hike (@ Rocky Ridge Landing, Sat. Sept. 28th, 10-11 a.m.)

We will also be offering take-home science experiments, crafts, reading suggestions, and journal prompts, so stay tuned for further updates as the year progresses!

Our program aims to bring together local experts, nature enthusiasts, library and museum personnel, and all members of our community to engage with one another in a discussion about the natural resources specific to our area. We want to provide a forum to express our mutual appreciation for the local environment that supports and enriches our lives on a daily basis. We also want to raise awareness of the challenges facing our local environment and what we as individual citizens and the community as a whole can do to help. And we would like to provide as many members of our community as possible the chance to reflect on and express the positive impact that the local environment has on their mental and physical health.

CDPL and CMMC are excited to work together to present this unique opportunity to our community and hope you will be able to plug in and engage in our events throughout the year! If you have any questions about the Nurturing Through Nature series or the One State/One Story program, please contact the Reference Department at [email protected] or call 765-362-2242 x117.

Amanda Grossman is the Assistant Manager of Reference and Local History at Crawfordsville District Public Library.