Public Information and Communication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 28, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434
800-307-2665

2009 ONE BOOK ONE NEBRASKA: Nebraska Reads A Lantern in Her Hand
2009 One Book One Nebraska Reads A Lantern in Her Hand Proclamation Ceremony Agenda

The Bess Streeter Aldrich novel, A Lantern in Her Hand, has been selected as the featured book for the 2009 statewide celebration of One Book One Nebraska. The year-long celebration launches with a Proclamation Signing Ceremony featuring Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, Saturday, January 31, 4:00 p.m., at the Elmwood Public Library, 124 West D Street. Lt. Governor Sheehy will be joined by Senator Dave Pankonin and George Fields, Chairperson of Elmwood Village Board, in urging all Nebraskans to read and discuss this classic story of a pioneer woman who withstands the adversity of existence on the prairie to triumph in the joy of everyday life.

One Book One Nebraska 2009 is sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Humanities Council, Nebraska Library Association, Nebraska Library Commission, and the University of Nebraska Press. This year the reading celebration is hosted by the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation, www.bessstreeteraldrich.org. Libraries across Nebraska are joining the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation and other literary and cultural organizations in planning for 2009 activities and events that will encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this story.

The Foundation will sponsor activities throughout the year to help highlight One Book One Nebraska, including:

Short Story Contest ( http://www.bessstreeteraldrich.org/contest.html) for Nebraska authors (Adult, High School, and Middle School). Prizes will be awarded for original stories to winners in each age category. Deadline for submissions: February 17, 2009, Bess Streeter Aldrich's birthday.

February 15, 2009: Bess Streeter Aldrich Birthday Celebration and Open House at the Bess Streeter Aldrich House, 204 East F Street, Elmwood, Nebraska to begin the yearlong celebration of One Book One Nebraska 2009: Nebraska Reads A Lantern in Her Hand.

April 18, 2009: Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation Spring Banquet will feature Carol Miles Petersen's presentation of Bess Streeter Aldrich's story behind A Lantern in Her Hand. The winners of the Aldrich short story contest will be honored at the banquet.

A Summer Event sponsored by the Elmwood Public Library will highlight the literary heritage of the area.

The Journey into Christmas holiday event closes the year's activities, with the Aldrich House decorated for the holidays and open every Saturday and Sunday in December.

As part of the 2009 One Book One Nebraska celebration, the Foundation worked with Nebraska Library Commission staff in a cooperative effort to digitize Aldrich-related materials and photographs of artifacts. They are available via the Internet through the Commission's Nebraska Memories online searchable database at www.nebraskamemories.org. The Nebraska Center for the Book, a coalition of organizations and individuals, believes One Book One Nebraska demonstrates how books and reading connect people across time and place. In 2009, Nebraska communities will come together through literature in community-wide reading programs to explore this classic work by one of Nebraska's best-loved authors. For more information about One Book One Nebraska, see www.onebookonenebraska.org.

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state's readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing together people and information. The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission home page, nlc.nebraska.gov, search on News Releases.

Agenda

2009 One Book One Nebraska Reads A Lantern in Her Hand

Proclamation Ceremony

January 31, 2009, 4:00 p.m.

Bess Streeter Aldrich Museum and Elmwood Public Library

124 West D Street

Elmwood, NE 68349

 

 

I. Opening/Welcome

a. Susan Ernst, President of the Elmwood Library Board (3-5 minutes)

1. Welcome on behalf of the Elmwood Public Library

2. Introduction of Senator Dave Pankonin

b. Senator Dave Pankonin (5-10 minutes)

1. Comments RE: 2009 One Book One Nebraska

2. Introduce George Fields, Chairperson of Elmwood Village Board

3. Introduce Rick Sheehy, Lt. Governor of Nebraska

II. Proclamation

a. Rick Sheehy, Lt. Governor of Nebraska (10-15 minutes)

1. Comments RE: 2009 One Book One Nebraska

2. Present Proclamation to Rob Clements, Board Member of Aldrich Foundation and Rod Wagner, Director of the Nebraska Library Commission (5-10 minutes)

III. Closing

a. Teresa Lorenson, Director of the Aldrich Foundation (5 minutes)

1. Thanks

2. Promote Writing Contest

3. Invite attendees to refreshments provided in the Elmwood Public Library

4. Invite attendees to complimentary tours of Bess Streeter Aldrich's house

IV. Photo Opportunity with the Lt. Governor and respective organizations (10 minutes)

 

**Any questions regarding the agenda or details of the actual event should contact either of the following:

Susan Ernst, President of the Elmwood Library Board, 402- 994-6365

Keri Hogue, Secretary of the Elmwood Library Board, 402- 994-2422

 

**The Elmwood Public Library will be open at 2:30 p.m. for set-up preceding the Proclamation Ceremony at 4:00 pm.

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state's readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing together people and information. The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission home page, nlc.nebraska.gov, search on News Releases