"One City, One Book" Kickoff Event to be Held at the White Plains Public Library

On October 2, 2002 at 2 pm and 7 pm, the White Plains Public Library will be the kickoff site for the “One City, One Book: White Plains Reads The Pearl by John Steinbeck” community-wide reading project sponsored by the White Plains Watch Community Newspaper. The public is invited to view a film screening of the A&E Biography of John Steinbeck introducing his life and work. Harold Augenbraum, Co-Director of the nationwide John Steinbeck Centennial commemoration and Director of the Mercantile Library in New York, will introduce the afternoon film and lead the discussion following.

Community-wide reading projects have been held with great success in Seattle, Rochester, Buffalo, Boise and Chicago. The White Plains “One City, One Book” project committee chose Steinbeck’s timeless classic The Pearl for the many thought-provoking questions it raises about personal and community values, choices and consequences.

The Pearl will be the featured selection at the Library’s annual fall book discussion series on October 23, 2002 at 2 pm and 7 pm. Other events in the Library’s month-long celebration of the Nobel prize-winning author include a screening and discussion of the 1939 film Of Mice and Men led by Alan Walowitz and John Ferone of the English Department, White Plains Public Schools (October 9); a screening and discussion of the 1955 film East of Eden (October 16); and the “One City, One Book” Film Finale screening of The Pearl (1948), featuring a presentation by Dr. Jerry Carlson, Senior Producer for City University Television (CUNY) and Latin American cinema specialist (October 30).

Dr. Carlson’s appearance is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional funding for the series has been provided by the Friends of the White Plains Public Library.

The Library’s fall book discussion series continues with “Voices and Values: American Fiction Classics” exploring other enduring works which reflect the richness and diversity of the American experience. Books in the series are Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner and A Lost Lady by Willa Cather. To register for the series, which runs through December 11th, contact Program Librarian Barbara Wenglin at 422-1486 or by e-mail bwenglin@wppl.lib.ny.us. Copies of The Pearl, and of the other readings, are available for loan at the White Plains Public Library and for purchase at Main Street Book Shop and Borders Books in White Plains.