Program Ideas

• Memoir writing
  Hold memoir writing classes/sessions, using teachers/authors as instructors or facilitators.  Add completed memoirs to library’s collection or give to local historical society.  Find students to videotape them or set up Story Corps session with local/regional public radio.  You can also use “First Writes” Bi-Folkal Kits (available from the Special Needs collection at SEK) for inspiration. Look under the “Resources” section for contact information for Charley Kempthorne of The Life Story Institute.

• Life in Kansas during the 40s
  Hold sessions on what life was like in your community during the 1940’s. How did it change after the war with vets returning? This could tie in with memoir writing.

• Life in Kenya
  Have Kenyan natives living in the area come & talk about their country. Explore the cultures of Hawaii & Indonesia as well.

• Community activism
  Hold a clean-up day; help those in need on a community-wide basis, something to tie in with Obama’s work as a community organizer in Chicago.

• Race relations/diversity
  Hold forums on what is happening in your community. Discuss the history in your community.

• Politics
  Although Dreams From My Father is not a political book, programs and discussions about the 2008 election would certainly be apropos.

• Art Displays
  Hold art or photo displays or contests where patrons show their own dreams.

• Book Discussions
  Groups do not need to limit themselves to Dreams From My Father; search the “Bibliography” for other books of interest.

• Kansas Humanities Council Scholars
  
  J. Edgar Tidwell
  Dept. of English • University of Kansas • 2046 Wescoe Hall
  Lawrence KS 66045-2115
  785/864-2583 (w); 785/331-4201 (h); tidwelje@ku.edu
  
  Doretha K. Williams
  230 Mount Hope Ct, Apt. C-12
  Lawrence KS 66044-3065
  785/331-7606; fiskite@ku.edu
  
  Cheryl Ragar
  American Ethnic Studies
  Kansas State University
  3 Leasure Hall
  Manhattan KS 66506-3502
  785/532-6934 (w); cragar@ksu.edu
  
  David Nichols
  3504 Quail Hollow Drive
  Winfield, KS 67156
  620/221-3896; david.nichols@sckans.edu