Sigma Phi Epsilon Book Drive

Sigma Phi Epsilon Book Drive will be September 5 – October 5, 2005. Last year, the fraternity collected over 8,000 books. Donations can be made at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house at 1586 Normal Drive.

On the Same Page

Horrible Harry and the Locked Closet by Suzy Kline will be our title for the 2006 On the Same Page Project. Beginning October 17th and ending during Children’s Book Week in November, children will be asked to read a book and discuss it among their friends, classmates, and family. Suzy Kline will be in Bowling Green November 16 – 18 to meet the children who participated.

National Family Literacy Month

Friends of the Book Fest will be collecting books at Books & Baskets (tentatively scheduled for November 6). These books will be distributed to children during Children’s Book Week – November 15 – 19. Other events are planned to encourage families to read together.

One Campus-One Community-One Book

The Southern Kentucky Book Fest partners are pleased to sponsor our third One Campus-One Community-One Book. This project is intended to cultivate reading and discussion by bringing the entire Western Kentucky University campus and the Bowling Green community together around one book – IN COUNTRY by Bobbie Ann Mason. We encourage many to read the book and attend the public discussions as well as give us their comments via our web site (www.BGonebook.org) bulletin board.

One Book Kick-off
January 26 – WKU – Java City 2:00 p.m.
January 26 – BGPL 6:30 p.m.
January 27 – B & N 7:00 p.m.

One Book Discussion
February 13 – BGPL 7:00 p.m.

Special showing of In Country movie:
February 16 – BGPL 6:30 p.m.
February 21 – Bowling Green Community College 7:00 p.m.

Final discussions with author
March 2 - WKU – Java City 2:00 p.m.
March 2 – BGPL 6:30 p.m.
March 3 – B & N 10:00 a.m.

Books…Read ‘em and Reap! Writing Contest

Students are invited to write, in 500 words or less, about a book they have read that taught them a lesson or helped them learn something new. Entries are divided into three categories: Division I – grades 3 – 5, Division II – grades 6 – 8, and Division III – grades 9 – 12. Entries must be received by February 18, 2006.

First and second place winners for each category will be announced at the Southern Kentucky Book Fest, April 7, 2006 at the Sloan Convention Center. Prizes are $50.00 Barnes and Noble gift certificates for first place and $25.00 Barnes and Noble gift certificates for second place.

Black History Month @ your library
A Celebration of Kentucky African American Writers

Frank X. Walker will speak on February 2, 2006, at Western Kentucky University’s Glasgow Campus at 3:00 and at the Bowling Green Public Library at 6:30 p.m. On February 3, he will speak at Western Kentucky University’s Java City at 10:00 a.m.

Frank X Walker is a native of Danville, KY and a graduate of Danville High School and the University of Kentucky and completed an MFA in Writing at Spalding University. A founding member of the Affrilachian Poets, he is the editor of Eclipsing a Nappy New Millennium and the author of Affrilachia, a collection of poems that has recently been nominated for the Kentucky Public Librarians' Choice Award. A Kentucky Arts Council Al Smith Fellowship recipient, his poetry has been converted into a stage production by the University of Kentucky Theatre department and widely anthologized in numerous collections. His most recent poetry collections are Black Box and Bufflalo Dance, the Journey of York.

These events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 270-745-5016 or email: Jayne.Pelaski@wku.edu

Famous-Barr Used Book Sale

The annual Famous-Barr Used Book Sale will be held February 10 – 12, 2006 in the Bowling Green Public Library Depot Branch. The proceeds from the used book sale will benefit the Southern Kentucky Book Fest.

Kentucky Writers Conference

This conference will feature Kentucky writers and their work. Some of the Kentucky Literary Award nominees will participate in writing workshops, readings, and special presentations. These sessions will take place at the Bowling Green Community College (WKU South Campus) and will be open to high school students, WKU students and the general public.

The sessions will begin on Thursday, April 6 and continue through Friday, April 7, 2006. On Friday, April 7, we will announce the winners of the Kentucky Literary Awards at a luncheon held in their honor.

Kentucky Literary Awards

The Kentucky Literary Awards will be given to excellence in writing for three categories: nonfiction, fiction and poetry. Winners of the awards will receive $1,000 and a commemorative plaque. Individuals from across the state have been chosen to serve on the judging committee.

Southern Kentucky Book Fest

The Southern Kentucky Book Fest, April 7 & 8, 2006 begins Friday with Children’s Day. Busloads of school children participate in a variety of activities: “make and do,” storytelling, drama, music, costumed literary characters, and the opportunity to meet their favorite authors. The major book signing event held on Saturday, April 8, will feature more than 200 distinguished authors. Nationally known authors who are currently on the bestseller lists or have had recent books on the bestseller lists join the festivities. Many of the authors will be invited to give special presentations, participate in panel discussions, or lead workshops. More than 300 volunteers from the community and region help to make this event a huge success.