Day of Learning in Community at Ramaker

On Northwestern’s first Day of Learning in Community, Ramaker Library is hosting two sessions of its own:

• Murder in the Stacks - April 9, 1:30 - 2:30pm, Ramaker Library
  Ramaker Library invited students, staff and faculty to write the first chapter of a murder mystery that is set in a library. We invite all who are interested to join us for the readings of 2 of these chapters during our session.The title for this workshop comes from a 1930s mystery novel by Marion Havighurst that is set at Miami University (Ohio). Havighurst’s novel reflects a tradition of setting mysteries in libraries. The tradition counters the stereotype of libraries being palces where routines and schedules reign, and nothing unusual occurs.

  Now, in reality, there is nothing routine about libraries. They are places of discoveries and adventures, adventures in the life of the mind. Thus, it is fitting to set a mystery in a library. The notion of a mystery in a libray symbolizes the reality that behind the quiet and seemingly placid state of affairs there is much that is not ordinary or routine as readers encounter the world of knowledge and ideas.

• The Best Place in the World - April 9, 3:00 - 4:00pm, Ramaker Library
  Join Ramaker for an interactive workshop where we’ll discover together why libraries are the best places in the world.  You’ll hear stories and remembrances from other library lovers and, if you wish, share your memories as well. Ramaker decided to host this session becauses libraries evoke fond memories. Why do people love libraries? The American Library Association states that the library is important ”because it is the only institution in American society whose purpose is to guard against the tyrannies of ignorance and conformity, and its existence indicates the extent to which democratic society values knowledge, truth, justice, books and culture.” 

We look forward to hosting these sessions, and we welcome your participation!