[Michlib-l] 7th Annual Authors in Chelsea

[Patty Roberts]

*Chelsea District Library’s Authors in Chelsea Program to Showcase Three
Notable Children’s Authors and the “Power of Writing”*

*Chelsea, Michigan | February 22, 2016 *

The Chelsea District Library will hold its 7th annual *Authors in Chelsea*
event on Wednesday, March 30th and Thursday, March 31th. This two-day event
brings three nationally known authors to present assemblies and workshops
on writing in Chelsea schools. The library is also holding a special
evening *Meet the Authors* event on March 30th from 6:30-8:00pm for
families and the general public to meet all three authors. This event will
be held in Room 100 of the Washington Street Education Center at 512
Washington Street. “Our evening event last year was a huge success,”
remarked Karen Persello, Head of Youth and Teen Services at the library.
“We had close to 200 people attending, and we hope everyone will come again
this year.”  During the evening, each author will have a turn to speak,
members of the audience can ask questions, and then get their books
signed.  Books will be available for purchase in the WSEC lobby, from
Chelsea’s Just Imagine bookstore.

This year’s line-up includes *Dan Yaccarino, *author and illustrator of the
children’s books *Doug Unplugged*, *Doug Unplugs on the Farm*, and many
others, who will be visiting all 1st and 2nd graders at North Creek
Elementary School; *Ruth McNally Barshaw*, who has written and illustrated
six novels for the *Ellie McDoodle Diaries *series and will be visiting all
3rd, 4th and 5th grade students at South Meadows Elementary School*;*
and *William
Durbin*, who writes historical adventures that include *The Broken Blade,
The Winter War, *and *Blackwater Ben, *and will be visiting the 6th graders
at Beach Middle School.

The purpose of *Authors in Chelsea* is to provide 1st–6th grade students
close contact with award-winning authors in order to explore the art and
craft of writing, encourage them to read and appreciate literature, and
learn to appreciate “the Power of Writing.”

Marcus Kaemming, principal of North Creek Elementary School, says “We are
very excited about our continued opportunity to have these author visits.
The children are extremely excited about the books and experiences they
bring. Each year the authors spur new conversations and help our students
get reinvigorated about their own writing. The CDL does a superb job of
finding great people to share with our youngest authors.”

South Meadows Elementary School principal Stacie Battaglia states, "We are
so very fortunate that our library finds value in offering these
experiences to our students. There is such excitement and of course an
amazing learning opportunity for kids when they meet a ‘real’ author!”

>From Nick Angel, principal of Beach Middle School, “We contribute to
appreciate the Authors in Chelsea series here at Beach. The students
benefit from reading Durbin's book but also from meeting him face to face.
This makes the writing process come alive.”  6th grade teacher Ryann
Skrypec says, "Having an author come to a community and share their writing
story with middle school students is like a young child learning how to
write. They start to believe things they might have once thought
impossible, possible!"

In preparation for the Authors in Chelsea visits to the schools, youth
librarians visit each 1st-6th grade class to get students excited about
this year’s authors by delivering free books and “talking up” the author,
even giving out small prizes to students who can answer questions about the
authors and their books. Additionally, there will be a Fun Fair at the
Chelsea District Library on Saturday, March 5, 1:00-3:00pm where kids can
join together in fun and games themed around this year’s authors’ books.
Attendees can do everything from test driving a wireless Sphero robot to
celebrate Dan Yaccarino’s *Doug Unplugged,* to hunting for Ellie’s Doodles
around the library, featuring illustrations by Ruth McNally Barshaw!  At
the Voyageur Camp in the McKune Room, students can pose in a canoe and
choose their own French name fit for a fur trader. Ages 6 and up are
invited to attend and registration is not required.

Support from the Chelsea Education Foundation and the Friends of the
Chelsea District Library has allowed for the purchase of more than 300
books by this year’s visiting authors. The books were distributed to
classrooms and the media centers at each of the three participating Chelsea
schools in advance of the authors’ visits.

For further information about the Authors in Chelsea program, please visit
aic.chelseadistrictlibrary.org.

 ###

The *Chelsea Education Foundation *is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization
that provides funding for a wide spectrum of educational activities to
benefit the residents of Chelsea, Michigan.

The *Friends of the Chelsea District Library* Friends of the Chelsea
District Library raise funds to supplement the library’s programs, events,
materials and equipment.

The* Chelsea District Library *is a nonprofit organization whose mission is
to provide equal access to quality resources that serve the lifelong
cultural, educational and informational needs and interests of all people.
The Library currently serves 14,000 residents in the Chelsea district –
City of Chelsea plus Dexter, Lima, Lyndon and Sylvan townships. For more
information, visit chelseadistrictlibrary.org.


Patty Roberts | Marketing Coordinator
Chelsea District Library | 221 S. Main St. Chelsea, MI 48118
734.475.8732 ext. 216 | proberts at chelseadistrictlibrary.org
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