Friends Forum: A Series For Curious Minds

Poet Freya Manfred read from her latest book, “When I was Young and Old” during a June 15, 2023 event at the University of Minnesota's Elmer L. Andersen Library. The post When I Was Young and Old, a reading by Freya Manfred appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

The 14th Annual Pankake Poetry reading, named for librarian Marcia Pankake, took place on April 4, 2023. Poet and cultural worker Sun Yung Shin read from her latest book of poetry, “The Wet Hex,” a finalist for the 2023 Minnesota Book Award for poetry. She described it as a book “about what our ancestors are asking of us.” Our audience, both in person and online, listened with rapt attention as she read. The post Pankake Poetry with Sun Yung Shin appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Glen Miranker talks about his collection of Sherlock Holmes materials with fellow Sherlockian collector, Dr. Richard Sveum, on March 16, 2023.  The post A conversation with collectors appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

A Feast of Words speaker Mike Dockry reminded the Friends of the Libraries group that all lands in the United States were formerly native lands. The post Let indigenous people lead appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Mary Moore Easter offered a captivating presentation on Dec. 6. With her co-presenters — Joan Hepburn, a retired Professor of English, with a concentration of West African theater, from St. Olaf College, and Siddeeqah Shabazz, actor at Pillsbury House Theater and the Guthrie Theater, as well as Executive Director of Kulture Klub Collaborative — Easter quoted from Winston’s brief court testimony, along with her own poems, to recreate the life of a woman who escaped to freedom in Minnesota. The post Keeping the Past appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

David Mura was the featured poet at the 13th Annual Pankake Poetry on April 7, 2022 at the University of Minnesota's Elmer L. Andersen Library. reading featuring Mura has written four books of poetry, has won numerous awards for his writing, and has taught at several colleges and universities, including the University of Minnesota. Following the reading, poet Ed Bok Lee and Mura engaged in conversation.  The post Pankake Poetry Reading featuring David Mura appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

“Giving Voice to the Past: Performing the Archive” featured the University Singers performing music on March 27, 2022 that has been silent for over a century or, in some cases, never been performed. The musical scores are archived digitally by the University of Minnesota Libraries and are available on the English Heritage Music Series website. The post Giving Voice to the Past, featuring the University Singers appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

“Humanities on the Front Lines: Public Partnerships and Transforming the University” was the title of the Jan. 27, 2022 presentation for A Feast of Words, an annual event presented by the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries and the Campus Club. Professor Jigna Desai and Associate Professor Tracey Deutsch discussed the important work of Minnesota Transform, a higher education initiative funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation that addresses decolonial and racial justice in the University, Twin Cities, and state through public humanities projects. The post A Feast of Words: Minnesota Transform appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” said Larry McKenzie, award-winning coach, speaker, and author, during the Nov. 18 Friends of the Libraries event Amplifying Black Narratives: The Creation of Black Narratives. Among the important resources for creating Black narratives are people who serve as “mirrors” that reflect possibilities yet may be scarce in the community. McKenzie was joined by Sheletta Brundidge, Sagirah Shahid, and Dara Beevas. The post Deserving recognition appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

The Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries hosted an online panel discussion on Oct. 28, 2021, which featured Mélina Mangal, Rekhet Si-Asar, Dionne Sims, and panel moderator Kate McCready. The panel discussed the challenges faced by black authors, librarians, independent publishers, and bookstore owners in getting books by black authors on the shelves and […] The post Amplifying Black Narratives: Black Publishers and Black Bookstores appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Jokeda (JoJo) Bell, Tia-Simone Gardner, and Catherine Squires joined moderator Cecily Marcus for a conversation about the preservation of Black art and culture in community-based archives and the University collections. Please watch this lively conversation with experts who share a passion for keeping historical archives not only accessible, but alive. The post Amplifying Black Narratives: Past, Present, and Future appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

The 12th annual Pankake Poetry reading features poet Deborah Keenan, the author of 10 collections of poetry. Her book, “Willow Room, Green Door: New and Selected Poems,” received the Minnesota Book Award for Poetry. Following the reading, there will be a discussion with Keenan led by James Lenfestey. The post Pankake Poetry featuring Deborah Keenan appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, the Mapping Prejudice project has attracted media attention from across the globe. What began here has exploded into the largest protest in American history. The whole world was watching as our community was ripped apart, partly as a consequence of decades of unjust and discriminatory housing practices. Learn how community researchers are mapping the hidden histories of race and privilege in your neighborhood — and how you can join them. The post appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Please join the University of Minnesota Libraries for an international virtual book launch for “The Selected Letters of John Berryman,” edited by Philip Coleman (Trinity College Dublin) and Calista McRae (New Jersey Institute of Technology). The editors and invited guests — including Eve Cobain, Henri Cole, Ray Gonzalez, Patricia Hampl, and Richard J. Kelly — will read from Berryman’s letters and consider his legacy in a discussion moderated by poet and critic Peter Campion. Bringing together scholars and poets from both sides of the Atlantic, the launch will explore how the letters shed light on Berryman’s life and work. The post John Berryman’s Selected Letters appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Emeritus Professor Dr. John S. Wright discusses his intellectual forebearers and the African American renaissance men and women who inspire his work. Dr. Wright will be joined by Cecily Marcus, Curator of the University Libraries’ Givens Collection of African American Literature, the Performing Art Archives, and the Upper Midwest Literary Archives. The post A Feast of Words: John Wright — the Unapologetic Omnivore appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.