Category Archives: Events

Western Kentucky University Libraries has selected Sluggers #2: Horsin’ Around by New York Times bestselling writing team Loren Long and Phil Bildner as the winners of the third Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Book Award. The national award was created to honor the memory of former WKU librarian, Evelyn Thurman, who made significant contributions to children’s librarianship and literacy during her 25 years of service to the university and community. Books eligible for the award must be written or illustrated by a Kentucky related author or illustrator or have a significant Kentucky related connection. Long, who is the illustrator for the book, was raised in Lexington, KY and graduated with a BA in Graphic Design/Art Studio from University of Kentucky.

Sluggers #2: Horsin’ Around is the second in a series of books about a baseball team, known as the Travelin’ Nine, that travels the country playing baseball and solving mysteries. According to Sean Kinder, chair of the selection committee, the committee was particularly impressed with the book for several reasons. “Sluggers #2: Horsin’ Around engages readers with its exciting plot, historical accuracy, excellent character development, and unique visual and graphic elements, all of which combine to make a compelling and satisfying reading experience,” said Kinder.

The author and illustrator have been invited to attend an awards luncheon in their honor at the Kentucky Library & Museum in November. Each will receive a monetary award and commemorative plaque. During their recognition visit, Long and Bildner will also visit local schools as a finale for the Southern Kentucky Book Fest partners’ weeklong Fall into Books program, which brings noted authors to area schools and also provides free books by the visiting authors to children. To learn more about the winning novel, go to www.lorenlong.com/barnstormers/barnstormers2.html. For more information about the award, visit www.wku.edu/library/thurman/.

Nancy Baird, WKU Librarian, kicked off the 2009-10 Kentucky Live lecture series at Barnes & Noble on Thursday, September 10. Baird provided a unique look into the Bowling Green area during the Civil War through the eyes of Josie Underwood, a young woman from an influential family in Bowling Green, with brief summaries from Underwood’s diary. Her diary, edited by Baird’s, is a part of the collection from the Kentucky Library & Museum.

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Where and when? October 5 – 9 from 8:00 a.m. – Noon at the Kentucky Library & Museum. After camp care is available from Noon until 4:00 p.m.

Age Group: 6 to 12

Cost: $120 & after care cost: $55. Library and Museum Associates receive a 10% discount.

More information or to register online.

On October 3rd, get ready for fall by painting a pumpkin gourd at the Kentucky Library & Museum! Bring your mom, kids, or grandkids. Special family price for two! All materials are supplied. Workshop facilitated by Lynne Ferguson.

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Participants do have an option to paint a second gourd during this workshop for an additional $7. This option must be selected during registration.

More information or register online.

On October 2, participate in the the Bowling Green Gallery Hop, a unique collaboration between the city’s independent galleries, non-profit galleries and studio centers to provide Bowling Green with great artistic opportunities. The galleries, museums and studio centers from around the city open their doors four Friday evenings out of the year so our curious citizens can tantalize their creative senses with great original art.

The “Side by Side: VSA arts of Kentucky” statewide exhibit is the featured exhibit at the stop at the Kentucky Library & Museum.

On Sunday, September 13, The Kentucky Library & Museum and VSA arts of Kentucky will open Side By Side 2009 Statewide Exhibition with a reception at 2:00 PM (CDT). This exhibit is composed of pieces selected from VSA arts Side by Side projects from across the state. Participating cities in 2009 include Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville, Murray, and Somerset.

VSA arts of Kentucky is a statewide, non profit organization dedicated to promoting arts, education and creative expression for all, with an emphasis on persons with disabilities.