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In: Anne Moser, Great Lakes, Great Read, Laura Sauser, literacy, WiLS, Wisconsin Library Association, Wisconsin Water Library

As part of today’s Earth Day commemorations, the Wisconsin Water Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, supported by Wisconsin Sea Grant, and the Wisconsin Library Association announced the books selected for a basin-wide shared-reading experience, Great Lakes, Great Read.

“The Water Walker” by Joanne Robertson is the children’s selection and the adult selection is “The Best Part of Us” by Sally Cole-Misch.

Illustration of person walking past pine trees.

“The Water Walker” is the story of a determined Ojibwe grandmother, a “nokomis,” named Josephine Mandamin who walks to raise awareness of the need to protect “nibi” (water). Robertson wrote and illustrated the book, which was published in 2017.

Published in 2020, Sally Cole-Misch’s award-winning novel, “The Best Part of Us”, explores a family’s ties to an island in the Canadian waters of an inland lake just north of Lake Huron—how those ties are tested both through natural processes and family dynamics.A calm lake and an island in the background.

“The Great Lakes have shaped Wisconsin as we know it. These inland seas provide drinking water and fuel our agriculture, shipping, manufacturing and recreation,” said WWL Senior Special Librarian Anne Moser. “These two books will bring the lakes alive in new and evocative ways. We hope readers will reflect on the lakes and be inspired, become passionate and feel more connected to them.” 

WLA Executive Director Laura Sauser said, “All Wisconsinites are encouraged to read these titles, and we also hope to be a catalyst for libraries throughout the upper Midwestern states and Canadian provinces to engage patrons through a range of activities.”

Both selected authors will be featured in a free webinar series happening on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 and 9. All events will start at 6 p.m., CT, and will be open to the public.

Both selected authors will be featured in a free webinar series happening on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 and 9. All events will start at 6 p.m., CT, and will be open to the public. In November, the authors will visit Wisconsin for a variety of events. Please check the Wisconsin Great Lakes, Great Read webpage, https://go.wisc.edu/85b96h, later this summer to learn more.

Currently, the website offers further details on the authors, their books, book discussion questions, an email list signup option and other resources.

This initiative is supported by an Ideas to Action grant from WiLS. Wisconsin Sea Grant and the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute support the Wisconsin Water Library. 

The post Great Lakes, Great Read shared-reading initiative announces book selections first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/great-lakes-great-read-shared-reading-initiative-announces-book-selections/

Moira Harrington

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In: Anne Moser, community read, Great Lakes Great Read, Laura Sauser, Wisconsin Library Association

Will connect Wisconsinites to the Great Lakes basin through reading

The Wisconsin Water Library (WWL) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) today announced plans for Great Lakes, Great Read, a basin-wide community read program scheduled to launch in 2024. 

The WWL is supported by the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute and its sister program, Wisconsin Sea Grant. Water Library director Anne Moser said the program is based on the need for greater education about the Great Lakes as an important natural resource. While approximately 34 million people in the U.S. and Canada live in the Great Lakes basin, recent surveys, such as the International Joint Commission Great Lakes Regional Poll in 2021, show a lack of understanding of the threats facing the greatest freshwater resource in the world.

“It’s difficult to care about something you know nothing about,” said Moser. “Education, in this case, environmental literacy, is central to cultivating stewardship of the Great Lakes and of water resources more broadly.”

WLA Executive Director Laura Sauser said the “one book, one community” model, already adopted by many libraries, is a natural fit for the idea of a basin-wide community read, and Wisconsin is the perfect state to pilot this idea, catalyzing other Upper Midwestern states and and Canadian provinces to engage and inspire passion and connection to the freshwater seas through reading. 

Close-up of smiling person standing in front of book shelves.

Laura Sauser. Contributed photo.

“Wisconsinites have a deep connection to water through culture, economy, tourism and way of life.  This connection, coupled with the WLA’s network of academic, public and special libraries, gives us a strong foundation for success,” Sauser said.

Supported by a grant from WiLS, the Great Lakes, Great Read program will officially kick off on Feb. 1.  The selected titles will be announced on Earth Day (April 22) 2024. Two books, one for adults and one for children, with themes related to the Great Lakes will be announced. 

All Wisconsinites will be encouraged to read these titles, and libraries around the state will be encouraged to engage their residents through book discussions and related activities. While program designs are still being finalized, Moser said the plan is to host public presentations by the selected authors and to host a website that includes book discussion questions and other ideas for engagement for anyone interested. 

Join the Great Lakes, Great Read 2024 email list for program updates:  Great Lakes, Great Read email list.

The post Great Lakes, Great Read program announced first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/great-lakes-great-read-program-announced/

Moira Harrington