June 2017 | Volume XXXV. Issue 3 »

American Writers Museum

May 17, 2017
Illinois Library Association

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The American Writers Museum (AWM) recently opened in Chicago. It is the brainchild of Malcolm O’Hagan, a retired Irish manufacturing executive from Chevy Chase, Md., who loves language and literature and was inspired by the absence of an American counterpart to an Irish writers museum he visited in Dublin. He set up and recruited a board that raised nearly $10 million to start the museum. After seven years in the making, the innovative museum engages the public in celebrating American writers by examining their influence on our history, identity, and culture. It is located in downtown Chicago at 180 N. Michigan Ave., second floor.

AN EVENING WITH NIKKI GIOVANNI

The museum will be the site of the Cultural Communities Fund Benefit on Friday, June 23, 2017, 7:00–10:00 P.M., being held during the 2017 American Library Association Annual Conference.

You could be among the first to explore the museum—while supporting cultural programming in libraries—at this special reception featuring renowned poet and activist Nikki Giovanni. While perusing the newly opened museum, enjoy a reading by Giovanni, hear insights from AWM docents, and enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds will benefit ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund. Reserve your ticket when registering for the conference online. Questions? Contact publicprograms@ala.org.

iREAD Summer Reading Programs

Since 1981, iREAD provides high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children, young adults, and adults to read.

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