TCCL News & Events

When tragedy strikes, some people collapse while others are strengthened; some communities thrive while others fall apart. Discover what makes the difference as “Novel Talk: Smart Conversations for Serious Readers” examines Geraldine Brooks’ international best-seller “Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague” in November to complement the Tulsa Library Trust’s 2009 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award.

A distinguished panel will confront the different ways people handle tragic events and explore the gifts of tragedy as a part of Tulsa City-County Library’s popular “Novel Talk” series on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at Central Library, Aaronson Auditorium, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue.

Erin Christy, anchor, KJRH Channel 2 News, will moderate as panelists discuss these issues as they are reflected in “Year of Wonders,” a novel in which a 17th-century British village grapples with the horrors of the bubonic plague. Panelists are: Dr. Tom Dafforn, clinical psychologist; the Rev. Todd Freeman, College Hill Presbyterian Church; and Dr. Elizabeth Williams, history professor, OSU-Stillwater.

As a bonus, the program also will feature “Plagues, Pilgrimages and Physicians: Europe, 1300-1700,” an original exhibit of words and images exploring the medical practices and challenges of Europe from 1300-1700.

BookSmart Tulsa, Circle Cinema and Urban Furnishings are co-sponsoring the free program, which is coordinated by Central Library’s Readers’ Library.

After participating in the enlightening “Novel Talk” discussion, make plans to meet Brooks, winner of the 2009 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, at a free public presentation and book signing at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 5 at Central Library.

Call 596-7977 or visit the library’s Web site at www.tulsalibrary.org for more details about “Novel Talk” or the Helmerich award.

Teen Read Month is an annual event aimed at encouraging teens to read for the fun of it – a chance to break away from textbooks and enjoy programs designed for them. Programs are designed to offer entertainment as well as a dose of education.

Calling all young adult anime artists. Time is running out for a chance to earn recognition and take the next step in achieving your dream of becoming a “professional artist.”

Ages 10-18 have until Thursday to sharpen their colored pencils and submit their best entry at any Tulsa City-County Library location. Categories include: ages 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18. First place in each age category receives a drawing pen set, sketchbook and $25 gift card to Michaels. Second place in each age category receives a sketchbook and $25 gift card to Michaels. Third place in each age category receives a $25 gift card to Michaels. The prizes are sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust and Project Teen, the Peggy V. Helmerich Special Project Fund.

Winners will be announced at TCCL’s Anime Mini-Con at Hardesty Regional Library, 8316 E. 93rd St., Oct. 24, 1-4 p.m. The Anime Mini-Con features martial arts demonstrations, a visit from award-winning artist Mark Crilley and a Cosplay contest.

The featured artist at the Anime Mini-Con is Mark Crilley, who has sold millions of copies of his books around the world and is a household name within the manga community.

Crilley’s popular graphic novel series “Miki Falls” and “Akiko” are two manga series created by Crilley during his 15-year career as a visual storyteller. The Akiko series, which includes 10 issues, began in 1995 when “Akiko on the Planet Smoo” was published. It was Detroit native Crilley’s first book and was deeply inspired by the time he spent teaching English in Taiwan and Japan. The Miki Falls series was recently optioned for a possible movie adaptation by Brad Pitt’s Plan B Studio. Another popular series by Crilley is Billy Clikk, featuring a young boy who fights monsters and aliens hiding out here on earth.

For a complete list of Teen Read Month activities, call the AskUs Hotline, 596-7977 or visit the library’s Web site, www.tulsalibrary.org.