What if all of Beaverton read the same book?
One Book, One Beaverton, Beaverton City Library’s annual community-wide reading event, is back!
We are thrilled to announce that this year’s title is Call Me American by Abdi Nor Iftin, a timely, hopeful memoir about growing up in Somalia amidst civil war and subsequently finding home in the United States.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE (it’s fun and easy!)
KEY EVENTAn Evening with Author Abdi Nor Iftin SAT FEB 1, 7-9 PM (DOORS AT 6:30) Join us for the culminating event of One Book, One Beaverton–an evening with Abdi Nor Iftin, author of Call Me American. We invite you to stay after the talk to get your book signed by the author and enjoy light refreshments. |
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MON JAN 6 | 6:30-7:45 PM
A Brief History of Somalia with Steven Rubert, OSU Professor Emeritus of African History
Dr. Rubert will speak about the long, fascinating history of Somalia. His presentation will also cover the more contemporary historical events that directly affected Abdi Nor Iftin and his family in Call Me American.
TUE JAN 7 | 6:00-7:45 PM
Memoir Writing Workshop with Dr. Susan Swartwout
Your story is your greatest treasure! Explore the shifting definitions of memoir, autobiography, and reality fiction – and write a short piece about your own experience. Q & A will follow. Dr. Swartwout is a professor emerita of English at Southeast Missouri State University and the founder of the SEMO Press.
WED JAN 8 | 7-8:30 PM
Story Slam: “Finding Home” Edition
Sometimes we find home in the places we least expect… Beaverton City Library's Story Slam is a friendly, open-mic storytelling forum. Potential storytellers will put their names in a hat; names will be picked from the hat and those chosen will take to the stage to tell their true, personal, 5- to 8-minute story. Stories must be told from memory, and potential storytellers should arrive 15 minutes early to speak with the event host about their planned story. Spectators are welcome! Recommended for ages 13 and up.
MON JAN 13 | 6:30-7:45 PM
What Does it Mean to Be American? A Conversation Project with Ellen Knutson
The United States is a culturally diverse nation with residents who can trace their heritage to lands across the globe, and our diversity is projected to continue to increase over the next several decades. Join this conversation led by facilitator Ellen Knutson to share your ideas about what it means to be American and hear others’ ideas, and to identify differences and points of connection that may lead us toward the ideal stated in our nation’s motto: E pluribus unum, out of many, one.
WED JAN 15 | 6-7:30 PM
StoryCorps DIY
Do you or someone you know have a story you want to preserve? At this workshop, learn how to prepare, record and share a conversation between you and another person using the official StoryCorps app. We’ll share valuable interview tips and help you get started using the app so you will leave feeling ready to record and archive your conversation. For those who wish to share, we will be featuring your conversations and stories on our website. Please bring your own device and any passwords you may need to install apps on your device (Apple ID, iPhone password, etc.).
SUN JAN 26 | 1-4 PM
Human Library: Unjudge Someone
Instead of print books, a Human Library is a library where people from your very own community become “open books,” sharing their stories with Readers (that's you!) who “check them out” for a short time to listen and dialogue. This one-day event offers participants the opportunity to sit down with a real person to ask curious questions and have honest conversations. The Human Library uses the power of these conversations to forge connections, dispel stereotypes, and better understand each other in order to help create more inclusive and cohesive communities.
MON JAN 27 | 6 PM
Film Screening: A Stray
Trying to outrun his bad luck, Adan, a young Somali refugee in Minneapolis, seems like he just might make it, until he crosses paths with a stray dog. In spite of Adan’s belief that the Quran forbids interacting with dogs, the pair’s bond proves strong, and they stick together as they wander through various circles of the urban dispossessed seeking acceptance.
WED JAN 29 | 6-7:30 PM
Meet Your Somali Neighbors
Join us for a panel discussion with members of Beaverton’s Somali community. We’ll talk about experiences of immigration, culture, and what it means to be American. Enjoy Somali food provided by Beaverton’s own Hayat Restaurant.