Silicon Valley Reads 2009

Happy New Year!

The Palo Alto City Library is starting off 2009 with the excitement of the annual Silicon Valley Reads program.

Silicon Valley Reads is a Santa Clara county-wide reading program to promote literacy and build community in our area. Each year Silicon Valley Reads selects a book that appeals to diverse audiences and considers issues relevant to Silicon Valley. Everyone who lives, works, or learns in our area is invited to read the selected book and to participate in the accompanying series of cultural events designed to spark discussion about the book's themes.

This year's book selection is Not a Genuine Black Man by Bay Area media personality Brian Copeland.

In this book, Copeland shares with us his experiences growing up as an African American in what he calls the "lily white suburbs" of San Leandro, California in our very own Bay Area. He offers us all his thoughtful consideration of his attempt to claim his own identity in an environment of socially sanctioned racial discrimination. Copeland's writing provides both comedy and tragedy, causing readers to laugh through their tears. This is a powerful and fascinating book.

The Palo Alto City Library encourages everyone to start reading the book before the program events begin in late January. You can find Not a Genuine Black Man through the library catalog--we own more than 25 copies! Or, if you can't wait, try your local bookstore.

Then join us for free program events in January and February:

Not a Genuine Black Man: An Evening with Brian Copeland

• date: Wednesday, January 28



• time: 6:30 p.m.



• location: Palo Alto High School Haymarket Theater, 50 Embarcadero Rd.
  

The Black History Show

• date: Saturday, February 7



• time: 7 p.m.



• location: Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
  

A Place to Call Home

• date: Friday, February 13



• time: 7 p.m.



• location: Main Library, 1213 Newell Rd
  

Entwined Heritage: University AME Zion Church & Palo Alto

• date: Sunday, February 22



• time: 3 p.m.



• location: Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd.

For more information, visit the library's website or call us at (650) 329-2436.

There will be more to come about Silicon Valley Reads 2009 right here on the blog, so stay tuned!