Mayor to Launch 4th Annual “Ithaca Reads”

Mayor Carolyn Peterson will deliver an official proclamation launching the 4th annual “Ithaca Reads, a Cornell/Community Collaboration,” on Monday, July 25, at noon, at the Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green St., Ithaca. Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell University's New Student Reading Project bring Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart to Ithaca and Tompkins County.

Things Fall Apart tells the story of Okonkwo, a clan leader of the Igbo culture in Nigeria, as he grapples with his own internal turmoil, and with the upheaval produced when Christian missionaries come to convert his village. First published in 1959, this masterpiece of African literature gives the reader a tantalizing insider’s glimpse into traditional Igbo culture and tells a story that is universal in its appeal.

The Library will host a series of special events in September, aimed at giving all interested community residents opportunities to read and discuss the book. These events will include book discussion groups; workshops on starting a book discussion group; an essay contest for high school students; a book talk by Professor Chima Anyadike, professor of contemporary African literature from Cornell; and a video presentation and discussion led by Eric Acree, Director of the John Henrick Clarke Africana Library at Cornell. Everyone is welcome at the events, even people who haven’t read the book. Additional information is posted on the Library website at www.tcpl.org/thingsfallapart/index.html.

In addition, Chinua Achebe, the author, will speak at Cornell on September 15.

Copies of the Cornell edition of Things Fall Apart are now available in the library. Additional copies are being distributed to the community libraries in Danby, Caroline and Lansing, to the rural libraries in Trumansburg, Groton, Dryden and Newfield and can be borrowed through the Finger Lakes Library system.

Tompkins County Public Library also has sets of copies for reading groups, community centers and other organizations interested in joining this year's Community Reading. Book/reading group information: Sarah Glogowski, 272-4557 ext. 255 or sglogowski@tcpl.org. Essay contest: Shelley Garvey, 272-4557 ext. 249 or sgarvey@tcpl.org. Talks: Valorie Rockney, 272-4921 ext. 219 or vrockney@tcpl.org.