Virtual programming at the Aurora Public Library District offers a dynamic and accessible way for customers to engage with a variety of content from the comfort of their home! Through online workshops, author talks, and interactive events, we can reach a broader audience, making resources more inclusive and flexible for people with busy schedules or limited mobility. We have some fantastic virtual events lined up for the remainder of the year, starting with #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds Tuesday, Oct. 22 thanks to our participation in Illinois Libraries Present.
Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) is a collaborative initiative that brings high-quality virtual programs featuring bestselling authors, experts, and thought leaders to participating libraries across the state. By pooling resources, Illinois libraries are able to provide enriching experiences that might not otherwise be possible on a local level, enhancing community engagement and lifelong learning for everyone. “The library’s participation in Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) allows our community to engage with an exciting variety of author,” said event & program coordinator Ali Lanthrum. APLD joined ILP in its pilot season, and as we begin Season 4 there are now more than 200 member libraries across the state all anxiously looking forward to our next event. “The upcoming program with Jason Reynolds is a big deal. He’s an internationally celebrated author whose poetry and books are beloved for many reasons, including their diverse characters and raw reflections of the modern world,” adds Lanthrum.
Jason Reynolds is a bestselling author, advocate, mentor, and 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The recipient of a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, a Carnegie Medal, an NAACP Image Award, and multiple Coretta Scott King honors, Reynolds’ beloved and award-winning titles include Stamped (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, In the Meantime, and the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu). He has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CBS Sunday Morning, and more. The short documentary “Dear, Dreamer”, available on his website, is a lyrical portrait of Reynolds’ life and work as a rising literary star, as well as a testament to shared experiences and the power of seeing yourself in books. “For a few decades now, children’s librarians have been advocating Dr. Rudine Sims Bishhop’s 1990 simile, ‘books as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors.’ It’s so important for children to see themselves represented in all media, but of course in children’s books specifically,” said early literacy specialist Gretchen Schulz. “Jason Reynolds believes in ‘books as springboards’ launching discussion and awareness of other books amongst young readers. We are so excited for his upcoming live Zoom session!”
In preparation for the event with Reynolds, the Santori Library is holding a book discussion group on one of his titles. Children ages 7 – 11 are invited to discuss Stuntboy, In the Meantime Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. This hilarious, action-packed middle grade novel is about the greatest young superhero you’ve never heard of… Stuntboy! Portico Reeves uses his Stuntboy super-powers to watch over and protect everyone in his apartment building, including his parents who fight all the time. Can Portico figure out how to save his parents while dealing with all the tough stuff life throws at you? Turns out superheroes are trying to figure things out, just like the rest of us. To participate, register and pick up your own copy of the book from the Kiwanis Children’s Center, while supplies last. After reading the book and viewing the Jason Reynolds event, readers will get a new sense of understanding and experience something they otherwise wouldn’t have without the help of virtual programming.
Raise Your Voice with Jason Reynolds is Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Registration is required to receive the link to view. If you are unable to attend, the recording will be available for a limited time after the program. To register and learn more about the event, please visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/11146375 or contact the library at 630-264-4117. For more information about Jason Reynolds, please visit his website at www.jasonwritesbooks.com.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.