Oswego Public Library To Host Renowned Children and Young Adult Author Bruce Coville At Annual Fundraiser

OSWEGO, New York – Award-winning Central New York author Bruce Coville will be the guest speaker at the Oswego Public Library’s 3^rd Annual Author Night on Saturday, November 14 at 6 p.m. at the American Foundry in Oswego. In addition to Coville, local performers will bring many of the author’s well-known characters to life during the evening.

Some of Coville’s most noted works include: “The Foolish Giant,” the “Unicorn Chronicles” series, “My Teacher is an Alien,” and the recent “Moongobble” series. He is also the founder of Full Cast Audio, an audio book company producing unabridged recordings of children’s and young adult books, using full casts rather than solo readers.

Coville is an outspoken advocate for public libraries, and having grown up in Phoenix, New York, understands the unique role libraries play in non-urban communities.

“I live and die by libraries,” Coville said. “They not only buy my books as well as those by other authors, but they help get books into young readers hands. They provide access to books for young people whose families might not value books as much. Those kids are hungry for books.”

Even in today’s world of video games, the Internet and other societal distractions, he sees a large role for books and libraries.

“The world is too distracting,” he said. “A library is a haven for young people. A place that shields them from a world too busy and too noisy.”

Co-chair of the event, Martha Hammill, agrees.

“Books are a great way for young people to escape the distractions that are around us all,” she said. “We are very pleased to have someone like Bruce Coville help support our local library by donating his time for this event. Given Mr. Coville’s work for young readers, we are encouraging adults and children alike to come to the event.”

Several young people will dress as Coville characters during the dinner.

“We will be bringing his characters to life through his own words and those who have read his books,” Hammill said.

Coville lives and works in Central New York. He has won several awards for his work over the years including the California Young Reader Medal, Jennifer Murdley’s Toad Giverny Award, The Prince of Butterflies Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, and others.

Two of the event’s sponsors include Constellation Energy and Pathfinder Bank. Additionally, there are several table sponsors and sponsors of the program ads and silent auction.

Proceeds from the evening will go toward the purchase of books and other library materials for the Oswego Public Library.

“Bringing together great local sponsors with an equally great local author not only brings a wonderful opportunity to our community, but also provides funding for the Oswego Public Library,” said Oswego Public Library Board Member Mercedes Niess. “In these challenging economic times, libraries have an even larger role to play in our communities.”

Tickets to the 3^rd Annual Author Night are available for a contribution of $50 for an adult dinner and grand raffle; $33 for a youth dinner (aged 17 years and under) and grand raffle (name on ticket must be age 18 and over); and $25 for grand raffle only (age 18 and older).

For more information about the event and/or to purchase tickets please call the Oswego Public Library at (315) 341-5867. Tickets are also available for purchase at the the river’s end bookstore (342-0077).

For more information about Author Bruce Coville, visit his web site at www.brucecoville.com.

The Oswego Public Library was founded through the financial contribution and vision of Gerrit Smith, a well-known abolitionist, philanthropist and businessman. The Library opened to the public in 1857 with the directive that it offers equal access to all, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status.

For more information about the Oswego Public Library please contact the Library at (315) 341-5867 or visit www.oswegopubliclibrary.org. Contributions can be made to the Library’s “Together With Pride” campaign by calling the campaign office at (315) 216-6176.

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