*Chelsea District Library’s Authors in Chelsea Program to Showcase Three Notable Children’s Authors and the “Power of Writing”* *Chelsea, Michigan | February 22, 2016 * The Chelsea District Library will hold its 7th annual *Authors in Chelsea* event on Wednesday, March 30th and Thursday, March 31th. This two-day event brings three nationally known authors to present assemblies and workshops on writing in Chelsea schools. The library is also holding a special evening *Meet the Authors* event on March 30th from 6:30-8:00pm for families and the general public to meet all three authors. This event will be held in Room 100 of the Washington Street Education Center at 512 Washington Street. “Our evening event last year was a huge success,” remarked Karen Persello, Head of Youth and Teen Services at the library. “We had close to 200 people attending, and we hope everyone will come again this year.” During the evening, each author will have a turn to speak, members of the audience can ask questions, and then get their books signed. Books will be available for purchase in the WSEC lobby, from Chelsea’s Just Imagine bookstore. This year’s line-up includes *Dan Yaccarino, *author and illustrator of the children’s books *Doug Unplugged*, *Doug Unplugs on the Farm*, and many others, who will be visiting all 1st and 2nd graders at North Creek Elementary School; *Ruth McNally Barshaw*, who has written and illustrated six novels for the *Ellie McDoodle Diaries *series and will be visiting all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students at South Meadows Elementary School*;* and *William Durbin*, who writes historical adventures that include *The Broken Blade, The Winter War, *and *Blackwater Ben, *and will be visiting the 6th graders at Beach Middle School. The purpose of *Authors in Chelsea* is to provide 1st–6th grade students close contact with award-winning authors in order to explore the art and craft of writing, encourage them to read and appreciate literature, and learn to appreciate “the Power of Writing.” Marcus Kaemming, principal of North Creek Elementary School, says “We are very excited about our continued opportunity to have these author visits. The children are extremely excited about the books and experiences they bring. Each year the authors spur new conversations and help our students get reinvigorated about their own writing. The CDL does a superb job of finding great people to share with our youngest authors.” South Meadows Elementary School principal Stacie Battaglia states, "We are so very fortunate that our library finds value in offering these experiences to our students. There is such excitement and of course an amazing learning opportunity for kids when they meet a ‘real’ author!”
From Nick Angel, principal of Beach Middle School, “We contribute to appreciate the Authors in Chelsea series here at Beach. The students benefit from reading Durbin's book but also from meeting him face to face. This makes the writing process come alive.” 6th grade teacher Ryann Skrypec says, "Having an author come to a community and share their writing story with middle school students is like a young child learning how to write. They start to believe things they might have once thought impossible, possible!"
In preparation for the Authors in Chelsea visits to the schools, youth librarians visit each 1st-6th grade class to get students excited about this year’s authors by delivering free books and “talking up” the author, even giving out small prizes to students who can answer questions about the authors and their books. Additionally, there will be a Fun Fair at the Chelsea District Library on Saturday, March 5, 1:00-3:00pm where kids can join together in fun and games themed around this year’s authors’ books. Attendees can do everything from test driving a wireless Sphero robot to celebrate Dan Yaccarino’s *Doug Unplugged,* to hunting for Ellie’s Doodles around the library, featuring illustrations by Ruth McNally Barshaw! At the Voyageur Camp in the McKune Room, students can pose in a canoe and choose their own French name fit for a fur trader. Ages 6 and up are invited to attend and registration is not required. Support from the Chelsea Education Foundation and the Friends of the Chelsea District Library has allowed for the purchase of more than 300 books by this year’s visiting authors. The books were distributed to classrooms and the media centers at each of the three participating Chelsea schools in advance of the authors’ visits. For further information about the Authors in Chelsea program, please visit aic.chelseadistrictlibrary.org. ### The *Chelsea Education Foundation *is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides funding for a wide spectrum of educational activities to benefit the residents of Chelsea, Michigan. The *Friends of the Chelsea District Library* Friends of the Chelsea District Library raise funds to supplement the library’s programs, events, materials and equipment. The* Chelsea District Library *is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide equal access to quality resources that serve the lifelong cultural, educational and informational needs and interests of all people. The Library currently serves 14,000 residents in the Chelsea district – City of Chelsea plus Dexter, Lima, Lyndon and Sylvan townships. For more information, visit chelseadistrictlibrary.org. Patty Roberts | Marketing Coordinator Chelsea District Library | 221 S. Main St. Chelsea, MI 48118 734.475.8732 ext. 216 | proberts@chelseadistrictlibrary.org
