Friends Forum: A Series for Curious Minds

“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.

The landscape of news media has changed and to navigate it, news consumers need to be savvy, journalism students need to be curious, and reporters need to be ethical. These were aspects of the news discussed at the Oct. 21 event, “Behind the Headlines: Reporters and news consumers in a 24/7 media world,” sponsored by Friends of the Libraries. The post Investigating the news appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

At a time when immigration is at the forefront of national news, we hear the singular voice of Wang Ping, a poet, writer, photographer, multimedia artist, and activist reading from her new book “My Name Is Immigrant.” Drawing from her own experiences and those of the immigrants she has met along the way, her poignant renderings are both moving and inspiring. Following the reading, there was a discussion with Wang Ping led by Cecily Marcus, curator of the Upper Midwest Literary Archives. The post Pankake Poetry featuring Wang Ping appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

The Secret Life of Libraries was a smash hit to a crowded room of Libraries friends on Monday, December 9 at Coffman Memorial Union Theater. It truly was an evening of radio antics with A Prairie Home Companion veterans, Sue Scott, Tim Russell, and Richard Dworsky, who wrote the radio play based on the collections and the intrigue at the University of Minnesota Libraries. The post ‘The Secret Life of Libraries’ appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

The Secret Life of Libraries was a smash hit to a crowded room of Libraries friends on Monday, December 9 at Coffman Memorial Union Theater. Watch it now on YouTube! It truly was an evening of radio antics with A Prairie Home Companion veterans, Sue Scott, Tim Russell, and Richard Dworsky, who wrote the radio play based on the collections and the intrigue at the University of Minnesota Libraries. The post ‘The Secret Life of Libraries’ now on YouTube appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Watch or listen to "Truth, Tweets, and Tomorrows" — featuring Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero in conversation with journalist Tom Weber. This event, held May 17, 2019 at the University of Minnesota, was sponsored by the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries. The post Ferriero talks about archiving presidential records appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Teaching poetry while in prison, being present at an airport bomb explosion, and traveling internationally have shaped Jim Moore as a writer and pivotal figure on Minnesota’s poetry scene for more than four decades. Moore read from his works at the 2019 Pankake Poetry event, held April 3 at the University of Minnesota. The post Pankake Poetry reading with Jim Moore now online appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Sara Evans, Regents Professor Emerita at the University of Minnesota, led a panel of powerful women, including Carolyn Chalmers, Lindsey Middlecamp, Simran Mishra, and Mariam Mohamed, that considered the rise of the #MeToo movement in historical context: What is its breadth and depth? Will it result in lasting cultural change? The post #MeToo event video now online appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Chef Sean Sherman presented at the 2018-2019 kickoff of the Friends Forum on October 16 at the Bell Museum. His topic: Reclaiming the Culture of Indigenous American Cuisine. The post Chef Sherman presentation now on YouTube appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Joseph Haj, the Guthrie's eighth artistic director and his Associate Artistic Director, Jeffrey Meanza, discussed the value of the western canon, its continuing relevance, and its agency for social change May 2 at the University of Minnesota Friends of the Libraries' annual celebration. Haj also talked about the history of the Guthrie and its longstanding importance to Minnesotans. The post Joseph Haj: A Conversation appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Margaret Hasse read from her most recent publication, Between Us, as well as other works at the Pankake Poetry Reading on April 11, 2018 at the University of Minnesota's Andersen Library.  The post Pankake Poetry Reading with Margaret Hasse appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Alan Page has had an extraordinary career trajectory. Discover his motivations and passions in this conversation with Gary Eichten, known and revered for his many years as an MPR host and news editor. The discussion took place May 9, 2017 at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center as part of the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries annual celebration. The post Alan Page, in conversation with Gary Eichten appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

J. Ryan Stradal and food writer Beth Dooley embarked on a delightful excursion through today’s food scene with stories of farmers, cheese makers, butchers, home cooks, chefs, sommeliers, and restaurateurs at the 3rd Kirschner Lecture December 1, 2016 at Cowles Auditorium at the University of Minnesota.  The post 3rd Kirschner Lecture with Beth Dooley and J. Ryan Stradal appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Joseph Ellis presented 'The Second Founding: Four Men Who Created a Country' on September 28, 2016 at the University of Minnesota's Ted Mann Concert Hall. Ellis, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783–1789, discussed one of the most crucial periods in American history — the years between the end of the Revolution and the formation of the federal government — and the men most responsible for the creation of the United States: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. The event, attended by nearly 700 people, was sponsored by the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries. The post Joseph Ellis – The Second Founding: Four Men Who Created a Country appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Kevin Kling takes a look at stories of stories, the role of stories in our lives, and memories as alibis or evidence. Why do we need stories? Are stories medicine? And, of course, there will be stories. All this and more at the University of Minnesota Friends of the Libraries annual celebration on May 4, 2016. The post Kevin Kling: Books Cast Their Spell on Me appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Pop Wagner, a mainstay of the Minnesota music community, performed December 9, 2015 at a special event, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Friends of the Libraries.  The post Pop Wagner: Rolling on a Winter’s Night appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.

Celebrated lion researcher and conservationist Craig Packer takes us into the complex, tooth-and-claw worlds of lion conservation and behavior in this September 30, 2015 event at Coffman Memorial Union at the University of Minnesota.  The post Lions in the Balance: Man-Eaters, Manes, and Men with Guns appeared first on continuum | University of Minnesota Libraries.