Book to Action is a framework that takes the basic book club concept and expands it to create a dynamic series of events that tackle important issues in the community and encourage reading, community discussion, and action.

Aimed at adults and intergenerational groups, Book to Action 2021 initiatives, also focus on building sustainable community partnerships, encouraging civic engagement, and supporting collaborative efforts between library staff and communities across the state.

The Whittier Public Library is proud to be a participating library and join the California Center for the Book, California Library Association, and the California State Library in this community engagement initiative.

Book to Action 2021:

SUSTAINABILITY Project  

The Whittier Public Library will be reading A Fire Story by Brian Fies and offering a series of programs in April and May about important sustainability topics like the CA wildfires. Stay tuned for more information about specific events.

Programs:

Book to Action in Conversation with author Josh Tickell, Kiss the Ground April 22 at 6:00 p.m.

Please join us for a very special conversation with Josh Tickell, environmental thought leader and award winning director and author of Kiss the Ground. The event will explore ways Californians can come together and make both individual and collective change for a more sustainable future. 

Missed the program? You can view it here.

Wilder than Wild Documentary Screening May 8-22

Wilder than Wild reveals how fire suppression and climate change have exposed Western landscapes to large, high intensity wildfires, taking us on a journey from the Rim Fire of 2013 to the catastrophic wildfires of 2017 and beyond. Along the way, we learn how prescribed fires can reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, we see a California tribe renew their tradition of cultural fire, and we meet stakeholder groups working with scientists and resource managers to build consensus on how to restore and manage the lands we love and depend on.

This event is free and in partnership with the Monrovia Public Library.

Directions for using accessing the video with the code from May 8 to May 22: 

The code to watch Wilder than Wild for free is WTWLIB. Viewers will have to go through a few steps. 

            1)      Go to https://vimeo.com/ondemand/wilderthanwild  
            2)      Click on the green RENT button
            3)      Log in or create a Vimeo account log in if you do not have a vimeo account
            4)      It will say Choose Payment method. Click on Apply Promo Code.
            5)      Put in the code WTWLIB
            6)      Click through and user will have 72 hours to view. 

            7)      The direct promotion link to vimeo for this is https://vimeo.com/r/36S3/U0VvbWNJbl

Wilder than Wild Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion-May 15

Join us for a virtual screening of the award-winning documentary, Wilder than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers, Kevin White and Stephen Most, plus special guest, Elizabeth Azzuz, from the Cultural Fire Management Council of the Yurok tribe. A fire practitioner will also be on the panel.

May 15^th - Panel Discussion:

Missed the Panel Discussion?  View it here.

In Conversation with Christopher Diaz-May 22

Join us on Zoom as we learn from Chumash Fire Keeper and Indigenous Activist, Christopher Diaz, about the importance of fire to land stewardship and his work as an activist to protect Native ceremonial sites in Southern California. We are honored to have him as this year's Book to Action speaker! This event is held in partnership with the Monrovia Public Library. All are welcome!

Saturday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m.

Missed the program? View it here.

 A Fire Story Book Discussion - June 10

Join us for an author talk with Brian Fies, the author of the book "A Fire Story” Brian Fies is a writer and cartoonist whose past projects include the graphic novels Mom’s Cancer and Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow, and the webcomic The Last Mechanical Monster. The day after Brian and his wife, Karen, lost their home in the Tubbs fire, Brian bought paper and pens, and began writing and drawing A Fire Story. Posted online, the comic went viral, and was seen by more than 3 million people. Brian expanded A Fire Story into a full-length graphic novel published by Abrams ComicArts in spring 2019. 

Read the book along with us and participate in our author discussion with Brian Fies. Reserve your free copy of the book while supplies last by emailing rfiore@whittierlibrary.org or call the library 562-567-9900. 

Book to Action is a program of the California Library Association, supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. 

Missed the program? View it here.

READ *DISCUSS*ACT CHALLENGE

 The Book to Action program and the Whittier Public Library invite     patrons to challenge themselves by taking part in doing some–or all–   of these actionable ideas on the topic of sustainability.

To participate in the daily challenge this month follow the link here.

Surveys

If you attend any of the Book to Action programs please give us your feedback by taking a  brief survey here. 

California Center for the Book is a program of the California Library Association, supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.