About this time last year, the Sweetwater County Library System brought young adult author Shannon Hale to the county for an author visit. Along with having a presentation and book signing at White Mountain Library in Rock Springs, the library also arranged for Hale to talk with kids from both Monroe and Lincoln schools in Green River.
Hale’s presentations were fantastic. She delivered a great message about not giving up while writing and not to let gender stereotypes influence your reading selections. The only regret those of us at the library have about Hale’s visit is that she could only be here for one day. We received so many requests from other schools in the county to have Hale visit, but there was no way we could accommodate all of the requests.
This month, the library system is bringing in another young adult author, and he will be here for three days instead of one. Roland Smith is the best-selling author of books such as the “I,Q,” “Storm Runners,” “The Cryptid Hunters,” “Peak,” and “Beneath.” I just finished reading Peak and it was terrific. I encourage people of all ages to check out one of his books.
The library will host two events featuring Smith during his three-day visit in Sweetwater County.
The first event will be at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the library in Green River. This will be an author party featuring kids’ activities related to Smith’s books.
he author will also be there signing books and Hastings will be at the library to sell books.
The second library event is at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at White Mountain Library in Green River. Smith will give a presentation and will be signing books. Those in attendance will again be able to purchase some of Smith’s books.
But that’s not all. We also have Smith lined up to visit with kids at schools in both Green River and Rock Springs. In all Smith will speak to kids from 10 schools, totaling about 1,600 kids. That’s a lot of students.
So, you may be wondering why the library brings in authors such as Smith. The answer is pretty simple – to encourage reading. Studies have shown that author visits have a big impact on kids. Hearing from authors helps kids make a connection and get excited about books and reading.
They also learn about the writing process and discover that they too may be able to be a writer. If by bringing in an author we are able to encourage reluctant readers to pick up a book, or we can help revive a love of reading in kids who have fallen out of the habit of reading, then the event will be a success.
The library has partnered with several organizations in Sweetwater County to bring Roland Smith here. We’re thankful for the support from the Sweetwater County Library Foundation, Sweetwater Board of Cooperative Educational Services, the Sweetwater One Public School Foundation, and Commerce Bank of Wyoming for supporting Smith’s events.
Make sure to stop by one of these events next week, they are sure to be fun.
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