T07: Reading for Change: how reading leads to action
Session Description
Generously Sponsored By: Library Bound Inc.
Far from being a solitary activity, reading has the power to transform our communities and our lives—to make us more engaged citizens and to spur us to action. In a world where global events have effects and consequences that impact our local communities, we need to consider how reading contributes to the dialogue surrounding global issues including human rights, refugees, war, terrorism, politics, racism, violence, and immigration. Reading is not just for fun. Books are often the catalysts for change and have great influence on our actions and our opinions. To discuss this important topic, join panellists Renée Sarojini Saklikar, award-winning author of children of air india and Surrey Poet Laureate; Dr. Aislinn Hunter, award-winning author of The World Before Us and Kwantlen Polytechnic University Creative Writing Instructor; Valerie Patrick, moderator of the Vancouver Amnesty International Book Club and Information Services Librarian at Surrey Libraries; and moderator Meghan Savage, Information Services Librarian at Surrey Libraries and member of the BCLA Readers' Advisory Interest Group. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in the discussion.
Speakers
Dr. Aislinn Hunter, BFA (UVic), MFA (UBC), MSc (U Edinburgh), PhD (U Edinburgh), Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Biography
Dr. Aislinn Hunter is an award-winning poet and novelist and the author of six books including poetry and fiction. Her second novel The World Before Us won the 2015 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, was a New York Times Editor's Choice, and is the basis of a song by Veda Hille and a dance performance choreographed by Anusha Fernando for the Chan Centre's 2016 Words in Motion series. Aislinn teaches Creative Writing at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, BC.
Renée Sarojini Saklikar, The City of Surrey
Biography
Renée Sarojini Saklikar writes thecanadaproject, a life-long poem chronicle that includes poetry, fiction, and essays. Her first completed book from thecanadaproject is Children of Air India, un/authorized exhibits and interjections, (Nightwood Editions, 2013) winner of the 2014 Canadian Authors Literary Award for poetry and a finalist for the 2014 Dorothy Livesay Poetry Award.
In 2010, Renée graduated from Simon Fraser University’s The Writers Studio and is currently a mentor and instructor for SFU’s writing and publishing program. She is Surrey's inaugural Poet Laureate and serves as an advocate on the national council of The Writer’s Union of Canada.
Valerie Patrick, Amnesty International Canada
Biography
Valere Patrick is a coordinator of the Vancouver meetings of the Amnesty International Book Club. When Valerie is not volunteering to defend human rights, she works as an Information Services Librarian at Guildford Library in Surrey, BC.
Meghan Savage, Surrey Libraries
Biography
Meghan Savage is an Information Services Librarian at Guildford Library in Surrey, where she coordinated the search for Surrey's first Poet Laureate. Meghan is an active member of the BCLA Readers’ Advisory Interest Group and co-convenor of BCLA's Public Librarians' Interest Group.