Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Arts Writing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
St. Helens library to host anthology launch and month-long writers’ events
Summary
Library leaders and local writing groups announced an anthology of Columbia County writers to publish in March and a month of February events — workshops, a local-author book sale and signings — alongside a new special collection for local authors at the library.
The St. Helens Library and local writers’ groups announced plans for an anthology of Columbia County writers that will publish in March and be celebrated with a month of events in February. Shanna, an organizer for the initiative, said the project grew from conversations among local authors and two writing groups and will include workshops, a Writers Guild meeting and a local-author book sale and signings.
Suzanne, the library director, told the board the library has agreed to host the launch events and create a dedicated local-authors special collection. "We are gonna add a local, author's special collection to the library," Suzanne said, describing plans to invite submissions and catalog items with special spine labels; staffer Nicole will handle cataloging and the library is aiming initially for about 30 items.
Organizers said the anthology includes 18 participants, many of whom will be first-time publishers. Shanna described a newly created "writing month" in February with workshops to support writers and help the collection and events drive community engagement and the library’s strategic-plan goals. The library will decide circulation rules for items in the special collection depending on binding and fragility, and staff will make items searchable in the online catalog.
Board members asked clarifying questions about logistics and fundraising; Suzanne and volunteers said they are coordinating with other local groups and volunteers to plan the launch and cataloging work. The writers’ group asked the board to help promote the initiative and reach out to authors who might contribute.
The announcement on the agenda followed a press release earlier in the day and organizers asked the community to spread the word about submissions and events. If funded or supported by partner groups, the library plans a March launch event tied to a month of February workshops and activities.
