Salina Reads is a series of events whose goal is to strengthen community connections by widening perspectives and deepening understanding about differing points of view through literature, shared experience and discussion.
Salina Reads
Salina Reads is a series of events whose goal is to strengthen community connections by widening perspectives and deepening understanding about differing points of view through literature, shared experience and discussion.
About “True Grit”
With her papa’s pistol tied to her saddlehorn and a supersized ration of audacity, 14 year-old Mattie Ross sets out to avenge her father’s murder. Set in the time around the founding of Salina, True Grit is a mirror into some of our own local history.
Youth Recommendations
“Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy” by Jan Thomas (Picture Book)
“Prairie Lotus” by Linda Sue Park (JFiction)
Kickoff Event: Stories, Heritage & Frontier Spirit
Saturday, March 29 | 10:15 a.m.-3 p.m.
Join us at the Library for an exciting kick-off to our month-long series celebrating Native American culture and Kansas history! Enjoy Rhythms of Heritage, a Native American dance performance by Freddy Gipp, explore Kansas history with traveling trunks, and join a Cherokee basket weaving workshop. Learn about the Salina Indian Burial Pit, local Native history, and cowboy music. Plus, enjoy a scavenger hunt, Kaw language activities, stick horse races, roping, horseshoes, crafts, and free book giveaways. Don’t miss this day of culture, history, and fun!
NEA Big Read is a program of the National endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
About “True Grit”
With her papa’s pistol tied to her saddlehorn and a supersized ration of audacity, 14 year-old Mattie Ross sets out to avenge her father’s murder. Set in the time around the founding of Salina, True Grit is a mirror into some of our own local history.
Youth Recommendations
“Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy” by Jan Thomas (Picture Book)
“Prairie Lotus” by Linda Sue Park (JFiction)
Kickoff Event: Stories, Heritage & Frontier Spirit
Saturday, March 29 | 10:15 a.m.-3 p.m.
Join us at the Library for an exciting kick-off to our month-long series celebrating Native American culture and Kansas history! Enjoy Rhythms of Heritage, a Native American dance performance by Freddy Gipp, explore Kansas history with traveling trunks, and join a Cherokee basket weaving workshop. Learn about the Salina Indian Burial Pit, local Native history, and cowboy music. Plus, enjoy a scavenger hunt, Kaw language activities, stick horse races, roping, horseshoes, crafts, and free book giveaways. Don’t miss this day of culture, history, and fun!
NEA Big Read is a program of the National endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Salina Reads Scavenger Hunt
Print or pick up the attached brochure then return it completed to an Information Services Librarian to select your prize from the Salina Reads General Store.
Scavenger Hunt Questions
1. Video: Salina History
Who lived in this area before the settlers?
What year was the town site of Salina founded?
When did the first railroad come to Salina?
How many residents were there in 1876?
2. Video: Kaw Nation's tied to Kansas
Where is the Kaw (Kanza) Nation currently located?
What town did the Kanza relocate to in 1848?
How many Kanza Indians were alive in 1873?
How many members are in the Kaw Nation today?
3. Video: A Fascinating Look at a Kanza Indian Dwelling
A Fascinating Look at a Kanza Indian Dwelling
What shape were the Kanza earth lodges?
What were the floors made of?
How many people lived in a lodge?
What direction did the entrance face?
4. Video: Sunflower Journeys
Where is the Kanza warrior statue placed?
What is the name of the Salina artist who created it?
What is the address of the studio?
What is the name of the sculpture?
5. Salina 1873 Map
This map can be located in the Campbell Room at the Library or by clicking the button below.
How many brick buildings are shown?
How many churches are on the map?
What is the name of the largest building?
What street crossed the Smoky Hill River?
6. Digital Archive Christina Campbell
SPL Digital Archive – Christina Campbell
What is “Grandma Campbell” touching with her hand?
What are the titles of two more interesting photos in the Digital Archive?
7. Travelling Exhibit Notorious
This Exhibit can be found in Information Services.
Who was Salina’s notorious woman suffragette?
Where did Salina’s notorious Walter Cravens go to prison?
How long was Walter Cravens in Prison?
What year did Buffalo Bill Cody spend time in the Salina area?
8. List two Salina Reads programs you attended
Make sure the program leader stamps your scavenger hunt!
9. Salina History Book
Salina 1858-2008: History eBook
Search “Western Kansas Territory.”
Name 5 men who planned the town.
Search “Astronaut.”
Name of the astronaut from Salina.
What is one other interesting picture you found?
Finale: Songs, Stories, and Spirit of Saline County
Saturday, April 26 | 7 p.m.
Come help us wrap up our Salina Reads month with a fun evening at the library of song, poetry, and storytelling on the theme of “Where We Live”. We will be joined by cowboy musician Don Wagner, cowboy poet Jerry Jones, and local community members with a story to tell.
Share Your Story
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear it! As part of the Salina Reads Finale event, we’re inviting community members to participate as storytellers. Selected stories will be presented in the Talk 20 format: 20 slides with pictures, 20 seconds per slide to tell your story.
Stories should connect to the theme, “Where We Live,” focusing on one or more of the following areas: The Environment, The People, Industry & Culture, or the History of Salina. Topics might include hobbies, projects, local history, or personal connections to Salina.
Applications will be reviewed and selected by library staff for stories that best fit the Finale event. We aim to present a diverse collection of perspectives, showcasing the unique ways Salina impacts its residents and how they shape the community in return.
Upcoming Events
Finale: Songs, Stories, and Spirit of Saline County
Saturday, April 26 | 7 p.m.
Come help us wrap up our Salina Reads month with a fun evening at the library of song, poetry, and storytelling on the theme of “Where We Live”. We will be joined by cowboy musician Don Wagner, cowboy poet Jerry Jones, and local community members with a story to tell.
Share Your Story
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear it! As part of the Salina Reads Finale event, we’re inviting community members to participate as storytellers. Selected stories will be presented in the Talk 20 format: 20 slides with pictures, 20 seconds per slide to tell your story.
Stories should connect to the theme, “Where We Live,” focusing on one or more of the following areas: The Environment, The People, Industry & Culture, or the History of Salina. Topics might include hobbies, projects, local history, or personal connections to Salina.
Applications will be reviewed and selected by library staff for stories that best fit the Finale event. We aim to present a diverse collection of perspectives, showcasing the unique ways Salina impacts its residents and how they shape the community in return.
Upcoming Events
Past Selections
2024 — “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren
2023 — “Record of a Spaceborn Few” by Becky Chambers
2021 — “A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans” by W. Bruce Cameron
2019 — “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Gann
2018 — “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah; and youth selections, “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Pena and “One Crazy Summer” by Rita Williams-Garcia
2017 — “The Last Cattle Drive” by Robert Day; and youth selections, “Old Yeller” by Fred Gipson and “Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy” by Jan Thomas
2016 — “Digging to America” by Anne Tyler and “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri; and youth selection, “The Tree in the Courtyard” by Jeff Gottesfeld
2015 — “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
2014 — “The Worst Hard Time” Timothy Egan
2013 — “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” by Mark Haddon
Past Selections
2024 — “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren
2023 — “Record of a Spaceborn Few” by Becky Chambers
2021 — “A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans” by W. Bruce Cameron
2019 — “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Gann
2018 — “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah; and youth selections, “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Pena and “One Crazy Summer” by Rita Williams-Garcia
2017 — “The Last Cattle Drive” by Robert Day; and youth selections, “Old Yeller” by Fred Gipson and “Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy” by Jan Thomas
2016 — “Digging to America” by Anne Tyler and “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri; and youth selection, “The Tree in the Courtyard” by Jeff Gottesfeld
2015 — “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
2014 — “The Worst Hard Time” Timothy Egan
2013 — “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” by Mark Haddon