Beginning in February 2008, the Friends of the North Plains Public Library have sponsored an annual One Book One Community Program which features a month long series of events centered around a chosen book. Hundreds of books are distributed free of charge to community members who wish to participate in the program.
Community Reading projects benefit a library in several ways, some quantifiable, others not. The most important non-quantifiable benefit is this: Community Reading projects position the library as a major player in the cultural life of a community. The library is no longer simply a place to come to use the computers, or to find information, or the most recent best-seller (all vital aspects of the library’s mission in themselves, of course); rather, the library becomes a destination for people who are interested in discussing books, a venue for author visits and for other cultural and humanities programs. One Book, One Community projects are an excellent way to start building a community of readers that finds its home base in the library.
OBOC Event Photos
The Friends of the Library members have selected award-winning Mink River by Lake Oswego author and Portland Magazine editor Brian Doyle as the book for their 6th annual community reading program.
Doyle’s work, set in the fictional Oregon coast village of Neawanaka, and its cast of fascinating characters, human and nonhuman, deals with the icons, spirits, and tales found in that community’s fabric. It’s the tale of a town, written in a distinct and lyrical voice, and readers will close the book more than a little sad to leave the village of Neawanaka, on the wet coast of Oregon, beneath the hills that used to boast the biggest trees in the history of the world.
Kickoff Party with Author
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Brian Doyle will kickoff the month long event on Saturday, February 2, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Library with a reading from his book, Mink River. He is not only an award-winning writer, but also a very entertaining speaker.
Come and enjoy samples of Oregon delicacies while listening to music by Puccini, as featured in the novel. This free event will also unveil the opening of a unique Celtic quilt art exhibit by Philomena Durcan that will remain on display at the Library throughout February and March.
A few copies of Mink River will be available.
Put Saturday February 2, 6:30 PM, on your calendar for a chance to meet the author and have an enjoyable evening.
Art and Quilt Exhibit
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Displayed in the computer/program room and above the checkout desk throughout the months of February and March will be Celtic quilts by Philomena Durcan. These are in recognition of the Celtic theme in the book Mink River.
Writer’s Group Workshop with Author, Brian Doyle
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On Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library, join us for a special writing workshop with Mink River author, Brian Doyle. New members and visitors are welcome to attend this free event.
Super Saturday Storytelling by Will Hornyak
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At 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 9 at the Jessie Mays Community Hall, watch and listen to master storyteller Will Hornyak as he regales young and old alike with tales from Native American and Irish Celtic legends. These two cultures have been specifically selected because they are featured in the book Mink River by Brian Doyle. All ages are welcome to attend this free event.
Innisfree Music Concert and Program
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The musical duo of Brenda Searcy and Jim Lowenhertz will perform a variety of Irish Celtic songs and music, including jigs, reels, and ballads. Historical background will be provided for each piece. This free concert will take place at the Library beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 14. All ages are welcome to celebrate Valentine’s Day by attending this very special performance.
Book Discussion Led by Mike Spooner
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On Wednesday, February 20, there will be a special gathering of interested community members and visitors to discuss the book Mink River. This discussion will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Library and be led by Mike Spooner. Everyone is invited to participate in this free event.
Art Lecture by Philomena Durcan
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Come to hear Celtic quilt artist Philomena Durcan discuss “The Celts and Their Art” on Friday, February 22, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Library. She will explain the history of this design form and her artistic method of creating the quilts on display. Her three books are available for checkout from the Washington County Cooperative Library Services. This program is free of charge.
Craft Night Led by Jacque Hermens
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Join us on Thursday evening, February 28 at 6:00 p.m. for a two-hour class on how to weave Native American pine needle baskets taught by Jacque Hermens. This class is offered to highlight one of the themes of the book, Mink River. There is no cost, but pre-registration is required. Call the Library at 503-647-5051 to reserve your place.
The Friends of the North Plains Public Library are proud to have won a grant from the Cultural Coalition of Washington County to help with funding for the 2013 One Book One Community program.
On October 25, 2012 the Friends hosted a Preview Party featuring local art, music, and Irish Sodabread as we celebrated the beginning of the 6th annual One Book, One Community program at the North Plains Public Library. Free copies of Doyle’s book were distributed to anyone with a Washington County library card. More copies are still available at the Library.
This preview event featured the opening of a unique art exhibit by SPLASH, a group of Willamette Valley artists, that used the novel Mink River as inspiration for visual art. Nineteen artists employed various media to present their personal vision of the novel’s themes and place.
The book party and art show preview also featured Celtic music by the duo Innisfree – Brenda Scearcy and Jim Loewenherz. Tasty snacks, including Irish soda bread and beverages, were served.
One Book One Community – 2012
For our 5th annual One Book One Community program the chosen book was “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese.
The Friends of the North Plains Public Library arranged for speakers and cultural entertainment throughout the month of February 2012. All “One Book, One Community” events were free.
Events included:
One Book One Community – 2011
In 2011, the chosen book for our 4th annual One Book One Community reading program was “The Whistling Season” by Ivan Doig. Selected to commemorate the centennial of the city of North Plains, the book is set in 1911, and although the setting is in rural Montana, life may not be that much different than in Washington County during the same time period.
The Friends of the North Plains Public Library arranged for speakers and cultural entertainment throughout the month of February 2011. All “One Book, One Community” events were free.
Events included:
One Book One Community – 2010
In 2010, the book, “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations,” by Greg Mortenson was the chosen book. To enhance the reading and understanding of Mortenson’s work, Friends of the North Plains Library arranged for speakers and cultural entertainment throughout the month. All “One Book, One Community” events are free.
Events included:
One Book One Community – 2009
In 2009, the book “Stubborn Twig” by Lauren Kessler was chosen. A wide variety of events were sponsored by the Friends of the North Plains Public Library to enhance the understanding of the Japanese internment program during World War II as described in the book.
Events Included:
One Book One Community – 2008
In 2008, the book “Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon was chosen as Community Reads book.
Events included:
