City of Stillwater NEWS | For Immediate Release

Stillwater Public Library at 1107 S. Duck Street in Stillwater, Okla. For more information, call (405) 372-3633 or e-mail askalibrarian@stillwater.org or visit the library online at library.stillwater.org. Library programs are co-sponsored by KOSU 91.7 fm

Watch film To Kill a Mockingbird Thursday, Oct. 29 at OSU Student Union Theater at 6:30 p.m.; Dr. Mayer to provide commentary

Join OSU Allied Arts, OSU Library, OSU Student Union Activities Board, Stillwater Public Library, and Sheerar Museum for One Book, One Community, Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird during September and October. Last event is a presentation of the movie with commentary by Dr. Robert Mayer, OSU director of Screen Studies, Thursday, Oct. 29 at the OSU Student Union Theater at 6:30 p.m.

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Sept. 28, 2009) – Dr. Robert Mayer will present a free film screening of To Kill a Mockingbird on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theater. This program is the culminating event for the project “One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Since it is almost Halloween, audience members are welcome to dress as their favorite book character or in 1930s period costume. The evening will close with drawings for door prizes.

One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird is collaboration between the university and the city, bringing people together to discuss the great novel by Harper Lee. More than a thousand people have enthusiastically participated in the project activities: book discussions, theatrical performance, and scholarly panel presentations.

Partners for One Book, One Community are OSU Allied Arts, OSU Library, OSU Student Union Activities Board, Stillwater Public Library, and Sheerar Museum.  The Stillwater Public Library Trust and the Friends of the OSU Library each purchased 100 copies of the novel to give to the public.

To Kill a Mockingbird was published to great acclaim in 1960. It remained on the N.Y. Times Bestseller List for 88 weeks. In 1961, the book was awarded with the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. It is a timeless story, set in the 1930s Deep South, with themes that resonate still today. After the book was published, the movie rights were almost immediately optioned. Harper Lee was offered the opportunity to develop the screenplay but when she declined, playwright Horton Foote was hired to adapt the story. The film starred Gregory Peck and won three Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction/Set Direction, and Best Actor.

Dr. Robert Mayer, director of OSU Screen Studies, will serve as the scholar for the film screening and will introduce the film, provide concluding remarks, and answer audience questions.

Mayer was educated at the University of Michigan and Northwestern University, where he took his Ph.D. He is a professor in the OSU English Dept., and for many years he has been the director of the Screen Studies Program in the English Department.

His research has focused on the eighteenth-century British novel, its origins, and its link to historical thought and historical writing. He has also written essays on film adaptations of eighteenth-century fiction.  He is the author of History and the Early English Novel: Matters of Fact from Bacon to Defoe (Cambridge University Press 1997) and the editor of Eighteenth-Century Fiction on Screen (Cambridge University Press 2002) and of Historical Boundaries, Narrative Forms (University of Delaware Press 2007).  His recent essays include “Lucy Hutchinson: A Writing of Life” in The Seventeenth Century and “Robinson Crusoe in Hollywood” in a book published by the Modern Language Association on teaching approaches to the great novel by Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe.  He has an essay coming out early next year in the Quarterly Review of Film and Video, entitled “Robinson Crusoe on Television.”  And, he is the vice president of the Defoe Society, an international organization that recently held its first meeting in Tulsa. 

To Kill a Mockingbird will be closed captioned. If a sign language interpreter is needed for the discussion, please request this in advance by phoning 744-7116. The film is free and open to the public. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase with proceeds going to the OSU Student Union Activities Board.

For information about the film screening, contact the OSU Library lib-pub@okstate.edu or phone 744.2376, or contact Stillwater Public Library askalibrarian@stillwater.org or phone 372.3633.

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One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird; Events every week until Oct. 29

Join OSU Library and Stillwater Public Library for One Book, One Community, Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird during September and October.

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Sept. 28, 2009) –Events and book discussions continue for “One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird” a community-wide reading event of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prize winning novel.

“One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird” is a collaborative effort designed to build community and promote literacy through shared literary activities. Partners include the Stillwater Public Library, OSU Library, OSU Allied Arts, Sheerar Museum and the OSU Student Union Activities Board. 

“It’s not too late to participate in a book discussion” says Stillwater Public Library Director, Lynda Reynolds. “The OSU Library is having several noon brown-bag discussions with the first one on Thursday.  Bring your lunch and drink and the library will provide cookies”.  Contact OSU Librarian, Karen Neurohr, for additional dates on the OSU Campus at 405-744-2376.

Community book discussion dates and locations include:

• Monday, October 5 from 9:30-11:30a.m. at the Senior Citizen Center (1015 E. 12th ).  Pat Jaynes will lead the discussion
• Wednesday, October 7 at 4pm for Teen Book Discussion at the Stillwater Public Library.  Teen Services Librarian, Recilla Harms, will lead the discussion
• Monday, October 12 at 6pm at Hideaway (230 S. Knoblock).  Participants will purchase own meal with Lynda Reynolds leading the discussion.
• Wednesday, October 21 at 7pm at the Stillwater Public Library with OSU Librarian, Karen Neurohr, leading the discussion.  Refreshments will be provided.
• Friday, October 23 from noon-1pm at the Sheerar Museum.  This is a brown bag discussion for participants to bring their own lunch.  Drinks and dessert will be provided.  Gladeen Allred will lead the discussion

Special events, which begin next week include:

• September 30, noon – 1 p.m., OSU Willard Hall, Room 010
  Panel Discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird and Teaching Banned Books
  Panelists: Dr. Susan Stansberry, Kristy Self, Stillwater Jr. High AP English Teacher; Beckie Rogers, Stillwater Jr. High Librarian, Shonda Brisco, OSU Curriculum Materials Library Director
• October 4, 2 – 4 pm, Sheerar Museum
  Panel Discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird. Panelists: Dr. Jason Kirksey, Civil Rights and To Kill a Mockingbird  Dr. Lynne Simpson-Scott, Coming-of-Age in To Kill a Mockingbird  Riley Kern, Social Class in To Kill a Mockingbird
• October 7, 8 p.m. Seretean Theater
  OSU Allied Arts presents The Montana Repertory Theatre production of To Kill a Mockingbird.  Discount tickets available for Stillwater Reads participants. Call 744-7509 for tickets. 
• October 29, 6:30 p.m., Student Union Little Theater

Free film screening and discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird led by Dr. Robert Mayer, Director OSU Screen Studies.  Film will be closed captioned. If sign language interpreter is needed for the discussion, please phone 405-744-7116. Door prizes will be given.  Dress in your favorite 1930s period costume. Sponsored by Student Union Activities Board.

 

For more information, visit the Stillwater Public Library web site at library.stillwater.org.  email askalibrarian@stillwater.org or call 405-372-3633.

The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. (the corner of Duck and 12th Ave.).

 

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(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Sept. 14, 2009) – Join Stillwater Public Library, Oklahoma State University Library, and OSU Allied Arts for One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads "To Kill a Mockingbird” during a community-wide reading event celebrating Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel.

One Book, One Community is a collaborative effort designed to build community and promote literacy through shared literary activities. Key partners hosting events centered on this classic novel include Sheerar Museum and the OSU Student Union Activities Board.

More than 70 participants signed up for book discussions at the Aug. 31 kick-off of One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird. Left to right: Event organizers Karen Neurohr (Edmon Low Library), Joe Ray (OSU Allied Arts) and Lynda Reynolds (Stillwater Public Library).

Book discussions, free and open to the public, are being planned at the public and university libraries as well as the Sheerar Museum and other community locations.

The first book discussion is Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Stillwater Public Library. Refreshments will be served. OSU Librarian Helen Clements will lead the discussion.

Other book discussion dates and locations include:

• Monday, Sept. 28 from noon-1 p.m. at the Sheerar Museum (702 S. Duncan). This is a brown-bag discussion for participants to bring their own lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Bill Dunn will lead the discussion.
• Thursday, Oct. 1 at noon at the OSU Library (Thompkins-McCollom Study Room, 102K). Brown-bag discussion for participants to bring own lunch and drink. Cookies will be provided. OSU Librarian David Oberhelman will lead the discussion.
• Monday, Oct. 5 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the City of Stillwater Senior Activity Center (1015 E. 12th ). Pat Jaynes will lead the discussion.
• Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. for Teen Book Discussion at the Stillwater Public Library. Teen Services Librarian Recilla Harms will lead the discussion
• Monday, Oct.12 at 6 p.m. at Hideaway (230 S. Knoblock). Participants will purchase own meal. Lynda Reynolds leading the discussion.
• Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Stillwater Public Library with OSU Librarian Karen Neurohr leading the discussion. Refreshments will be provided.
• Friday, Oct. 23 from noon-1 p.m. at the Sheerar Museum. This is a brown-bag discussion for participants to bring their own lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Gladeen Allred-Struthers will lead the discussion.

Special events begin the week of Sept. 28 during Banned Books Week with a special exhibit at the Curriculum Materials Library on the OSU Campus. At noon on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at OSU in Willard Lecture Hall Room 010 there will be a panel discussion with Susan Stansberry, Kristy Self and Becky Rogers.

On Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m., the Sheerar Museum will host a panel discussion of the novel with Dr. Jason Kirksey, Dr. Lynne Simpson-Scott and Riley Kern. Refreshments will be served.

The Big Event will be on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m as OSU Allied Arts presents The Montana Repertory Theatre’s performance of "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the Seretean Center. Discount tickets will be offered to anyone who participates in “Stillwater Reads.”

The final event will be on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m. with the OSU Student Union Activities Board sponsoring a film screening and discussion of "To Kill a Mockingbird." This event will provide an opportunity for an in-depth discussion of the movie as it relates to the novel. Attendees are encouraged to dress as his or her favorite book character or 1930s period costume. Door prizes will be given.

Book discussions, panel discussions and movie event are all free and open to the public. Ticket information for the OSU Allied Arts production is available at http://union.okstate.edu/alliedarts/TKAM.htm

For more information, visit the Stillwater Public Library web site at library.stillwater.org, e-mail askalibrarian@stillwater.org or call (405) 372-3633.

The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. (the corner of Duck and 12th Ave.).

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Kick-off Event for One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird

100 copies of this classic novel by Harper Lee will be given away at the kick-off event to those who sign up to participate in one of many scheduled book discussions in September and October

Join OSU Library and Stillwater Public Library for One Book, One Community, Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird during September and October. Free books available at both libraries for those who join discussions. Special events include book discussions, two showings of the movie, a banned book display at OSU Curriculum Library, and the big event on Oct. 7 as OSU Allied Arts presents the Montana Repertory Theater performance of To Kill a Mockingbird.

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Aug. 16, 2009) – On Monday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m., Stillwater Public Library and Oklahoma State University Library will host a kick-off event for “One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Stillwater Public Library.

“Through the generosity of the Stillwater Public Library Trust, 100 copies of this classic novel by Harper Lee will be given away at the kick-off event to those who sign up to participate in one of many scheduled book discussions in September and October,” said Library Director Lynda Reynolds.  “Existing book discussion groups are also encouraged to read this novel during September and October”.

The movie adaptation of the novel starring Gregory Peck will be shown at 6:30 p.m.  Popcorn will be served and door prizes include four tickets to the Montana Repertory Theatre’s performance of “To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Seretean Center on Oct. 7.

“One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads To Kill a Mockingbird” is a collaborative effort designed to build community and promote literacy through shared activities. Other community partners planning events include OSU Allied Arts, Sheerar Museum and OSU Student Union Activities Board. More information on these events will be available at the kick-off event.The kick-off event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the web site at library.stillwater.org, call at 405-372-3633, or e-mail at askalibrarian@stillwater.org. Library programming is sponsored by Friends of the Library and KOSU. The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. (the corner of Duck and 12th Ave.).

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Contact: Sherry Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 405.742.8362
E-mail: sfletcher@stillwater.org
Web: stillwater.org

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