Oswego Public Library To Host ‘Speak’ Author

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OSWEGO, NY – Best-selling author Laurie Halse Anderson, of Mexico, will wrap up her six-week national book tour for her newest novel, “Chains,” at a fund-raising dinner to benefit the Oswego Public Library on Dec. 4 at The American Foundry.

The event will start at 7 p.m.

Anderson will talk about her new novel, “Chains,” that covers a variety of subjects including slavery and the Revolutionary War.

The novel has made Anderson one of five finalists for the prestigious National Book Award’s Young Adult Literature award for the second time in her career.

Her first book, “Speak” was also a finalist for this award two years ago.

“The subject matter of this book is perfectly in line with the history of the Oswego Public Library and its beginnings with abolitionist Gerrit Smith,” said library board member and capital campaign chair Mercedes Niess. “We are thrilled to have Laurie Halse Anderson at this fund-raising dinner for our local library.”

The event is being sponsored by Wayne Drugs, Simon & Schuster, AT&T, Cultural Resources Council, P&C Foods  and the river’s end bookstore.

River’s end bookstore owners Bill Reilly and Mindy Ostrow are co-chairing the committee that’s organizing the event.

“The new library is about the future of Oswego, and Laurie Halse Anderson is about the future as evident in her appeal to young readers,” Reilly said. “We are proud to be a part of this event, and the common tie that is shared by both the Oswego Public Library and the river’s end book store to promote reading and support writers.”

“Chains” is one of five finalists that have been chosen for the National Book Award out of 274 works of literature that were submitted in this category.

The book, and her past works such as “Speak,” have been included in many secondary school curriculums including the Oswego City School District.

Announcement of the winner of the National Book Award will be made on Nov. 19, before the fund-raising dinner event.

Proceeds from the evening will go toward the Oswego Public Library Renovation and Expansion Project.

Although the building is complete, funds for internal finishes and additions to the library’s catalog are still needed.

The library’s successful capital campaign has raised more than $1 million.

The library renovation and expansion project has added more than 14,000 square feet of space to the library.

The project has doubled the space of the children’s room by moving it from the lower level to the top ?oor; added a community meeting room; increased facilities such as restrooms; improved accessibility to all ?oors including the installation of an elevator; increased book stack space; added more computer stations and updated network technology; created a Young Adult area; provided private/quiet areas for tutoring students; provided for rotating art exhibits; offered a local history/genealogy room; and more.

Space for library services has almost doubled with the completion of this building project.

Tickets to the Anderson event are available at $50 per person, which includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner and silent auction.

Prior to the event, a special book signing will take place at the river’s end bookstore at 5:30 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the bookstore at 342-0077 or the library at 341-5867.

This event is made possible with Funds from NYSCA Decentralization Grant program, a State Agency and the Cultural Resources Council, a Regional Arts Council. missing or outdated ad config

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