Aug. 14, 2018 – Salina Public Library has several events planned in conjunction with 2018’s Salina Reads, its community-wide read. Movie screenings and presentations are set to compliment this year’s book selections — the memoir “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” by Trevor Noah, “Last Stop on Market Street,” a picture book by Matt de la Peña, and the chapter book “One Crazy Summer” by Rita Williams-Garcia.

Four films that draw on the setting of “Born a Crime” in South Africa and its exploration of racism will be shown at Salina Art Center Cinema, 150 S. Santa Fe. The showings will be free, and concessions will be available for purchase. The lineup of films is:

  • “Invictus,” rated PG-13, will be shown at 10 a.m. Sept. 8. The movie explores how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman), the first president of post-apartheid South Africa, used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to bring his country together.
  • “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” rated PG-13, will be shown at 10 a.m. Sept. 29. Based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, this film chronicles his early life, coming of age, education, and 27 years in prison before becoming president and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society.
  • “Selma,” rated PG-13, will be shown at 10 a.m. Oct. 6. It explores Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historic struggle to secure voting rights for all people. A dangerous and terrifying campaign that culminated with an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965.
  • “Searching for Sugar Man,” rated PG-13, will be shown at 10 a.m. Oct. 20. This documentary follows the efforts of a record store owner and a journalist to find folk singer Sixto Rodriguez. Though his career in the U.S. was short-lived, he unknowingly became a pop music icon in South Africa.

Bringing the exploration of racism closer to home, local historian Marie D. Johnson will present “The Lives of African Americans in Salina, Kansas, During Segregation” at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 in the library’s Prescott Room. Johnson will use first-hand accounts in detailing the endurance of racial discrimination and how the African American community responded during that era.

In his book, Noah candidly discusses his violent stepfather. Carly Tinkler, with Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas, will explain how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Prescott Room. DVACK serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, teen dating violence and elder abuse.

The October meeting of the library’s Monday Night Book Discussion will focus on “Born a Crime.” This conversational group will meet at from 7-8 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Technology Center Conference Room. The library will also have book discussion packets available that book groups, friends and family or coworkers can use to help organize their own discussions of “Born a Crime.”

For the Sept. 19 and 20 Storytimes, “Last Stop on Market Street” will be read and used to discuss that week’s theme of “family.” Designed for ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers, Storytimes include books, rhymes, music and crafts. They are held at 10:15 a.m. in the Prescott Room.

Youth ages 8 and older will discuss “One Crazy Summer” over pizza during Book Bunch from 6-7 p.m. Oct. 9. The group will meet in the teen area of the library’s Youth Services Department.

Salina Reads is an annual community-wide read that takes place in September and October. This will be the sixth year for the program. The community is encouraged to read the selected books, start conversations and attend programs. For more information on Salina Reads, visit salinapubliclibrary.org/salinareads, contact Lori Berezovsky at infoservices.lori@salpublib.org or (785) 825-4624, ext. 249, or visit the library at 301 W. Elm.