The Boyle County Public Library offers numerous free activities, special events, and services for the community. Interactive activities often include storytimes, author visits, crafting, and book clubs. This month, library staff have scaled back their regularly scheduled youth events to prepare for an activity-packed, all-ages summer reading program, which kicks off on May 29th. Here is a closer look at some of the upcoming events at the library:

Healthy Choices

On Monday, May 13 at 1:00 PM, the library will host “Healthy Choices.” Offered in partnership with the Boyle County Extension Office, this program series includes lessons focused on cooking skills and stretching your food dollars. This event will be held in the Community Room. (Ages 18+)

 

Boyle County Writers

On Tuesday, May 14 at 5:30 PM, gather with fellow writers to practice your writing skills, share your work, and receive feedback from peers. Facilitated by local author Paul Stansbury, this monthly event will be held in the Conference Room at the library. (Ages 18+)

 

Third Thursday Book Club

In May the book club will be reading “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury. Join the book discussion on Thursday, May 16 at 10:30 AM in the Community Room. (Ages 18+)

 

Author Visit with Lonormi Manuel

On Thursday, May 16 at 6:00 PM, author Lonormi Manuel will be discussing her book, “The Price of Bread and Shoes,” a historical fiction based on the lives of women who lived in West Virginia’s coal camps and what they had to do to survive.  She will also be signing copies of her book. This event will be held in the Reading Room.

About the author:

Born in eastern Tennessee and raised in southwestern Virginia, Manuel has called Kentucky home for over thirty years. Her writing, both fiction and nonfiction, addresses universal themes in Appalachian settings. A passionate historian, genealogist, and student of the labor movement, Manuel finds inspiration for her fiction in old newspapers, oral histories, genealogy, and the stories of the working class, writing not only about but for the Appalachian people. Her short fiction has appeared in Still: The Journal, Wraparound South, Barely South Journal, and Change Seven Magazine, and her creative nonfiction has appeared in The Roanoke Review. Her first novel, The Price of Bread and Shoes, was published in 2022. With a steady presence in the Top 50 historical fiction books on Amazon.com, it has received praise from celebrated Appalachian writer Robert Gipe (Trampoline) and Pauletta Hansel (Will There Also Be Singing?). Manuel is currently working on Rivers of Soil and Steel, which follows the characters from The Price of Bread and Shoes after they leave Chemame Creek, West Virginia.

 

Jeanne Penn Lane “Celebration of Kentucky Writers”

On Saturday, May 18 from 12:00 – 5:00 PM, the library will host the first event of the Jeanne Penn Lane Celebration of Kentucky Writers and Songwriters’ Showcase. The event will feature writers from many disciplines, all with a Kentucky connection. Authors will be reading from original works, with many holding book signings. This event will be held in the Community Room.

Authors include Frances Strickler, Kevin LeMaster, Carolyn Pennington, Pamela Perlman, Tom C. Hunley, Darlene Campbell, Chris Helvey, Maurice Manning, Virginia Smith, Lucy Jayes, Rita Spalding, Marie Mitchell, and Katie Hughbanks.

In addition to the event at the Library, the weekend celebration continues with two events at other locations. A Songwriters Showcase, featuring musicians from around Kentucky, will be held at Morley’s Backyard in Danville on Saturday, May 18 from 5:30-11:00 PM. The celebration will wrap up on Sunday, May 19 from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM at a homecoming event featuring music and readings at historic Penn’s Store in Gravel Switch. This is free and open to the public.

Information about library resources and all upcoming events can be found online at BoylePubLib.org. The library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM; and Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  Chat with library staff using the live chat service on the library’s website or by texting (859)-545-8398.