An Investigation of Banned Books with Anne Speyer

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014 at 6:30 PM

Everybody knows books have been banned in the Middle East and Russia, but all too few realize how often they're under attack in the United States. Anne Speyer, librarian, teacher and ardent bibliophile, will explore the history of book banning. You'll probably discover that at least one of your own favorites is on someone else's "people you shouldn't read" list, including Kurt Vonnegut! 

This is a free program, though good-will donations are appreciated.

Please register in advance by calling 508-362-6636 or emailing sturgislibrary@comcast.net.   

Take the Kurt Vonnegut Writing Challenge!

Writer Kurt Vonnegut, a major presence in Barnstable Village in the 1960s and 70s, and once a Trustee of Sturgis Library, created a list of 8 rules for writers. Think you can follow them? See what you can do!

Submit your entry by October 5th, 2014. We'll share them during the Vonnegut Celebration and on our website, and highlight those that come closest to following the rules.

Here are the rules, as Vonnegut wrote them in Bagombo Snuff Box: Uncollected Short Fiction: 

Sturgis Library, in partnership with the Vonnegut family, Barnstable Historical Society, Tales of Cape Cod, the Barnstable Comedy Club, Cape Cod Art Association, Barnstable Fire Department, Village businesses, and Cape Cod Beer will host a weekend-long celebration of the life and writings of Kurt Vonnegut.  Vonnegut, who lived on Scudders Lane in the 1950's, 60s, and 70s, is well known for his numerous novels and essays, including the powerful novel Slaughterhouse-Five. He was a Sturgis Library Trustee, an active member of the Barnstable Comedy Club, and wrote some of his most successful novels right here in Barnstable Village.

The Vonnegut Celebration will be held on Columbus Day weekend -- October 10, 11, and 12  -- and there will be also be events leading up to the 3-day weekend.  Most Vonnegut Celebration events will be free or will be offered for a suggested donation to the host organization.  

Several events will be ticketed, and those tickets will go on sale September 2, 2014. Check the Vonnegut Celebration page in the link below for details. 

Please visit the Vonnegut Celebration page on our website for a preliminary schedule of events.  The schedule is subject to change, so check back often!  You can find the schedule here: www.sturgislibrary.org/vonnegut-celebration 

We thank our sponsors and partners, including Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, the Town of Barnstable Tourism Mini-Grant Committee, Cape Cod Beer, Shepley Wood Products, Howard Woollard / Woollard Builders, Ned and Sue Handy, Les Patrick / L. G. Patrick Builders, Whitney Wright / Builder, Robert and Lynnette Helms, William and Catherine Swift, Andre Duprey, and Jeff Goldstein / The House Company and many more.  Click here to see all the sponsors (listed after the schedule of events).   

We are still looking for sponsors for this event.  If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact Lucy Loomis, Library Director at 508-362-8448 or sturgislibrary@comcast.net.  Sponsors will be acknowledged on our website, our facebook page, and in all publicity. 

We are also interested in talking to those who knew Kurt Vonnegut and might be willing to share stories, anecdotes, memories, memorabilia, etc.  related to him.  If you would like to share your memories, please contact Lucy Loomis (contact phone and email above).

• A limited edition signed Vonnegut print
• A Vonnegut basket of books, a Vonnegut "Little Thinker" doll, and other items
• A beer-related basket with the Vonnegut Cape Cod beer, 4 beer glasses with a Vonnegut quote, and other beer-related paraphernalia.

Raffle tickets will be $10 each.  Proceeds help fund the Vonnegut Celebration events.

We're on Facebook!