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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-28; Library Board of Trustees; 03; Carlsbad Reads Together 2025 Final ReportMeeting Date: May 28, 2025 To: Library Board of Trustees From: Emily Hardy, Senior Librarian Staff Contact: Emily Hardy, Senior Librarian emily.hardy@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5129 Subject: Carlsbad Reads Together 2025 Final Report District: All Recommended Action Receive a final report on Carlsbad Reads Together 2025. Executive Summary The board will receive the final report for Carlsbad Reads Together 2025. The presentation will include a review of Carlsbad Reads Together 2025 programs, statistics, successes and next steps. Explanation & Analysis None. Fiscal Analysis No financial impact. Next Steps None. Environmental Evaluation The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by CEQA Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to report on the Carlsbad Reads Together program is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA Guidelines. Exhibits 1. 2025 Carlsbad Reads Together Program Guide LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES May 28, 2025 Item #3 Page 1 of 5 2025 Carlsbad Reads Together PROGRAM GUIDE “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” by Julia Alvarez In-person author event: Thursday, April 24, 6 p.m. Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Tickets for the event will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The Schulman Auditorium has a seating capacity of 200, and overflow seating will be available in the Gowland Meeting Room. Following the author discussion, a book signing will take place in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard. Books will be available for purchase at the event. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on the City of Carlsbad’s YouTube channel. A recording of the event will be available for viewing for seven days following the presentation. This event is proudly sponsored by the Friends of the Carlsbad Library. About the Author: Julia Alvarez’s life began in New York City in 1950, but she spent her early childhood in the Dominican Republic, the homeland of her parents. However, her family’s stay was cut short in 1960, when they were compelled to seek refuge in the United States due to her father’s opposition to the Trujillo dictatorship. Alvarez has written novels, collections of poems, nonfiction and numerous books for young readers. Julia Alvarez is the recipient of the Pura Belpré Award (2004), Américas Awards (2009), The Hispanic Heritage Award (2002), National Medal of Arts (2013). In 2024, she was the subject of an American Masters documentary, “Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined,” on PBS. Alvarez is one of the founders of Border of Lights, a movement to promote peace and collaboration between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. She lives in Vermont. Find more at https://www.juliaalvarez.com/about To watch an interview with Julia Alvarez and PBS books, view here: “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” by Julia Alvarez | Readers Club Book Synopsis: When celebrated writer Alma Cruz inherits a small plot of land in the Dominican Republic, she turns it into a place to bury her untold stories—literally. She creates a graveyard for manuscript drafts and revisions and the characters whose lives she tried and failed to bring to life and who still haunt her. Alma wants her characters to rest in peace, but they have other ideas, and the cemetery becomes a mysterious sanctuary for their true narratives. “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” is available in print, audiobook, eBook and eAudiobook format. Don’t forget to visit Libby or Hoopla digital to access e-formats. The book is available in English and Spanish. Adult Spanish selection: “El cementario de los Cuentos sin Contar” by Julia Alvarez Cuando la célebre escritora Alma Cruz hereda un pequeño terreno en la República Dominicana, lo convierte en un lugar para enterrar sus historias no contadas, literalmente. Crea un cementerio para borradores y revisiones de manuscritos y para los personajes cuyas vidas intentó y no logró dar vida y que todavía la persiguen. Alma quiere que sus personajes descansen en paz, pero tienen otras ideas y el cementerio se convierte en un santuario misterioso para sus verdaderas narrativas. Exhibit 1 May 28, 2025 Item #3 Page 2 of 5 GENEALOGY How to Tell Your Ancestors’ Stories Saturday, April 12, 2 – 4 p.m. Georgina Cole Library Learn the various ways to share your ancestors’ stories, including memoirs, diaries, family histories, and how to capture their details in writing. CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER EVENTS READ-ALIKES Adults “ The Art of Being Broken: How Storytelling Saves Lives” by Kevin Hines “ Daughters of Latin America: An International Anthology of Writing by Latine Women” by Sandra Guzman “ The Dominican Racial Imaginary: Surveying the Landscape of Race and Nation in Hispaniola” by Milagros Ricourt “ In the Time of Butterflies”/ “En el tiempo de las mariposas” por Julia Alvarez “ Writing on Empty: A Guide to Finding Your Voice” by Natalie Goldberg “The Storyteller’s Death” by Ann Dávila Cardinal “ There’s a Revolution Outside, My Love: Letters from a Crisis” by Tracy K. Smith (Featuring an essay from Julia Alvarez) “ The Annotated Arabian nights: Tales from One Thousand and One Nights” by Paulo Lemos Horta “ Afterlife” by Julia Alvarez ADULTS ADULT PROGRAMS Adult Book Club Meetings First Wednesday Book Club Wednesday, April 2, 2 p.m. Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Just the Facts! Book Club Thursday, April 3, 5:30 p.m. Hybrid: Meets in-person at the Georgina Cole Library and on Zoom. Email marin.faeyera@carlsbadca.gov for the Zoom link. Club de lectura en Español Vespertino (Virtual Spanish Language Book Club) Jueves, abril 3, 6 p.m. Envíe un correo electrónico a bilingual@carlsbadca.gov para obtener el enlace de zoom. Thursday Afternoon Book Club Thursday, April 10, 2 p.m. Georgina Cole Library SPECIAL CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER EVENTS Writer’s Workshop: Getting Started! with So Say We All Saturday, April 5, 1 – 3 p.m., Georgina Cole Library Join us for a special workshop featuring So Say We All, a 501c3 non-profit literary and performing arts organization dedicated to helping people tell their stories through performance, education, and accessible media. Their Getting Started workshop offers a crash course on crafting your story from a solid foundation, with valuable tips and tricks to kickstart the writing process. Participants will leave with the beginning of their story and a clear path forward, plus the opportunity to share their work with a supportive community of writers. Writer’s Workshop: Developing Memorable Characters Saturday, April 19, 3 p.m., Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Gowland Meeting Room Take your storytelling skills to the next level! This workshop invites participants to not just read, but create, by designing compelling characters that will bring their stories to life. Attendees will learn how to develop dynamic, round characters and understand the key differences between flat and static ones. After reading “The Cemetery of Untold Stories,” participants will be inspired to bring their own characters to the page. READ-ALIKES Genealogy “ Writing Your Family History: A Guide for Family Historians” by Gill Blanchard “ Finding Your Hispanic Roots” by George Ryskamp “ You Can Write Your Family History” by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack “ Your Guide to Cemetery Research” by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack “ The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record, & Preserve your Ancestors’ Graves” by Joy Neighbors 2 May 28, 2025 Item #3 Page 3 of 5 EXPLORATION HUBCHILDREN’S Book Warriors Book Club Meeting (virtual) Tuesday, April 15, 4 p.m. Choose from the teen read-alikes that complement “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” and join the virtual book club to discuss one or all of these incredible titles. Email libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov for the Zoom link. CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY ON DOVE LANE EXPLORATION HUB Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons: Character Creation & Collaborative Storytelling Friday, April 18, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Join us for an introduction to Dungeons & Dragons: the role-playing game: a creative and collaborative storytelling game! Learn the basics of character creation and gameplay and build community while exploring themes related to Carlsbad Reads Together. No prior experience is necessary. Attendees will have the same experience at both sessions. This event is open to adults and children ages 8 and up. Limited to 14 participants. Register to secure your seat. Early arrival recommended. READ-ALIKES Teens “ Clap When You Land” by Elizabeth Acevedo “ Once Upon a Quinceañera: Coming of Age in the USA” by Julia Alvarez “ The Totally True Story of Gracie Byrne” by Shannon Takaoka “ Funeral Songs for Dying Girls” by Cherie Dimaline Write Your Own Story! Tuesday, April 1, 3:30 p.m. Library Learning Center Join us for a creative writing workshop where kids in grades 1 to 3 can celebrate the art of storytelling! Children will have the chance to craft their own short stories while building their writing skills and sparking their imaginations in a fun, supportive and creative setting. Let’s Crochet and Learn: Celebrating Dominican Culture and Storytelling through Craft Saturday, April 26, 2 – 3 p.m. Georgina Cole Library For ages 8 and up: Celebrate Dominican crochet traditions at this multi- generational event, inspired by “The Cemetery of Untold Stories.” Open to all skill levels, participants will explore techniques used by Dominican artisans and enjoy music and hands-on crocheting. Please register in advance for supplies and bring your own crochet hook if you have one. Click here for the Registration link Tuesday Afternoon Adventures: The Great Graphic Novella about Me, Myself and I! Tuesday, April 15, 3:30 p.m. Georgina Cole Library For K to 6th graders: Join us for Tuesday Afternoon Adventures as we share our enthusiasm for graphic novels and try your hand at creating your own character and stories, tying into this year’s Carlsbad Reads Together theme! Preschool Storytime: Grandparents & Stories: A Time to Share Wednesday, April 16, 10:30 a.m. Georgina Cole Library Join us for a heartwarming storytime celebration as we honor the art of storytelling and the special bond between grandparents, friends and little ones! Whether it’s a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or someone who feels like family, this is the perfect time to share stories, songs, crafts, and fun together. Carlsbad Reads Together Toddler Storytime Tuesday, April 15, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Gowland Meeting Room Join us for a special toddler storytime exploring themes of family inspired by this year’s Carlsbad Reads Together title, “The Cemetery of Untold Stories.” Limited free tickets will be available at the Children’s desk at Dove Library on the day. This year, instead of selecting a single title for teens and children, we are celebrating the works of Julia Alvarez and exploring themes from “The Cemetery of Untold Stories,” such as storytelling and the culture of the Dominican Republic, through programs for all ages and read-alikes. Join us for an engaging series of events that honor her powerful storytelling and rich cultural heritage. READ-ALIKES Children’s For Kindergarten to grade 3: “Islandborn” / “Lola” by Junot Díaz “ Already a Butterfly: A Meditation Story” by Julia Alvarez “If Dominican Were a Color” by Sili Recio “How to Write a Story” by Kate Messner Available in Hoopla “Telling Stories Wrong” by Gianni Rodari For Grades 4 to 6 “Before We Were Free” by Julia Alvarez/ “Antes de ser libres” por Julia Alvarez “ How Tía Lola Saved the Summer” by Julia Alvarez “The Tía Lola Stories” by Julia Alvarez “ Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly” by Gail Carson Levine “ Islands Apart: Becoming Dominican American” by Jasminne Mendez TEENS 3May 28, 2025 Item #3 Page 4 of 5 4 Cannon Gallery “Silent Storytellers” exhibitionOpen Studio with Artist Fredric Hope Thursday, April 17, 2 p.m. William D. Cannon Art Gallery and Gowland Meeting Room Join artist Fredric Hope for a brief tour of his “Silent Storytellers” exhibit, followed by a hands on exploratory exercise allowing you to experiment with some of the thinking and creating processes Fredric uses to create unique paths to visual storytelling. Concerts in the Courtyard Bachata / Merengue lesson with live music April 26, Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Ann Kulchin Courtyard 4:30 p.m. Lesson begins 5 p.m. Concert begins Experience the vibrant rhythms of Bachata and Merengue, music and dance that originated in the Dominican Republic, the setting of “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” and the homeland of author Julia Alvarez. Enjoy a lively dance session with music by Ruben V. & The Latin Sounds and immerse yourself in the culture that inspired this year’s Carlsbad Reads Together Selection! Presented with support from Carlsbad Friends of the Arts. CULTURAL ARTS “In the Time of the Butterflies” Wednesday, April 16, 4 and 7 p.m. Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Schulman Auditorium Based on the novel by Julia Alvarez and inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters who were murdered in 1960 for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the dictatorship of General Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. Cinema Club Events Seating is limited and is first come, first served. All films are free to the public and are subject to change. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showing. All films are shown in original language with English subtitles. Discussion questions for “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” 1. If you were entering the last stages of your life, what stories would you want told to your family/friends? 2. Alma’s pen name is the same as the main character in “One Thousand and One Nights,” the collection of Middle Eastern folktales. What similarities and differences do you see between “Cemeteries” and “One Thousand and One Nights?” 3. Does a story need an audience to be fully realized? And once it’s told, who do you think “owns” it? 4. After reading Julia Alvarez’s biography (on the front page), do you feel that the imaginary story of Bienvieda is a reference to Ms. Alvarez’s father’s entanglement with the dictator Trujillo? 5. How would you react if someone in your neighborhood built a cemetery? What would you do? 6. What are the stories that make you up? Are all of them stories you’ve told, or are some secret and untold? What would happen if you told them? 7. Do you think Alma was ever able to “escape” her characters? Do you think the creative life is ever over? Do you think we can ever bury the past? 8. Do you feel sympathy for Perla, and do you think her punishment was just? For more movie events at Carlsbad City Library, scan the QR code May 28, 2025 Item #3 Page 5 of 5 Carlsbad Reads Together 2025 Final Report Laura Stanger, Principal Librarian Library & Cultural Arts Department May 28, 2025 2 ITEM 3: CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 2025 TODAY’S PRESENTATION Program Attendance and Reception Next steps Circulation Data 3 ITEM 3: CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 2025 4 5 ITEM 3:CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 2025 6 ITEM 3:CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 7 ITEM 3:CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 2025 Springtime Gingerbread House Staff Competition winner, according to Julia Alvarez “Alma’s Casita” Springtime Gingerbread House staff competition winner, according to Julia Alvarez 8 ITEM 3: CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER CIRCULATION DATA Book eBook Audio English 164 36 248 Spanish 6 15 0 Total 170 51 248 Total Checkouts: 469 9 ITEM 3: CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER PROGRAM ATTENDANCE Author Talk Streaming views Supplemental Programs Streaming views - 163 Author Talk Live - 155 Supplemental - 528 Total - 846 10 ITEM 3:CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 2025 PROGRAM OFFERINGS Adult Book Clubs 4 Writing programs 3 Cultural Arts 3 Genealogy: How to Tell Your Ancestor’s Stories Youth & General Audience Children’s Writing Programs 2 Storytimes 2 Teen Virtual Book Club Crochet & Learn: Celebrating Dominican Culture Dungeons & Dragons Collaborative Storytelling Culminating Author event: A conversation with Julia Alvarez April 24, 6 p.m. in the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, Followed by a book signing 11 Summary •469 total checkouts ​ •846 participated in Carlsbad Reads Together 2025 •Work will begin soon for 2026 12 ITEM 3:CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 2025 Next Steps 2025 chair to continue next year with co-chair A new team will be assembled ​ In the coming months, the following will take place: ​ Community feedback will inform titles on 2026 ballot ​ Community will vote in the fall 13 ITEM 3:CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 2025 Contact Information Emily Hardy, Senior Librarian emily.hardy@carlsbadca.gov 442-339-5129 Laura Stanger, Principal Librarian laura.stanger@carlsbadca.gov 442-339-5526 14