Grambling State University will observe National Library Week, April 17 – 23 with a slate of activities.
Highlighting the celebration will be a reception and book signing for renowned poetess Nikki Giovanni will be held Thursday, April 21 in the Grambling State University School of Nursing Auditorium. The event is free to the public, but because of limited seating, reservations must be made. Call (318) 274-3354 to reserve seats.
Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni, Jr., in Knoxville, Tenn., Giovanni is also a highly regarded writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Over the past thirty years, her outspokenness, in her writing and in person, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most widely read American poets, she prides herself on being “a Black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English.”
Giovanni remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always insisting on presenting the truth as she sees it, she has maintained a prominent place as a strong voice of the Black community. Her focus is on the individual, specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in the lives of others.
Giovanni has written more than two dozen books, including volumes of poetry, illustrated children?s books, and three collections of essays. Her book, Racism 101, includes bold, controversial essays about the situation of Americans on all sides of various race issues. She has received 21 honorary doctorates and a host of other awards, including “Woman of the Year” awards from three different magazines as well as Governors? Awards in the Arts from both Tennessee and Virginia.
Her three most recent volumes of poetry, Love Poems, Blues: For All the Changes and Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea, were winners of the NAACP Image Award, in 1998, 2000, and 2003. Since 1987, she has taught writing and literature at Virginia Tech, where she is a University Distinguished Professor. As a devoted and passionate writer, teacher, and speaker, she inspires not only her students, but also readers and audiences nationwide. The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection, a spoken-word CD, was a finalist for the 2003 Grammy Award in the category of spoken word.
The celebration will begin Monday, April 18 with poetry readings from students, faculty and staff from 10 a.m. until noon in the lobby of A.C. Lewis Memorial Library.
On Tuesday, the library will host an open house during which there will be previews of new resources and services.
The week culminates with Friday designated as Free Fine and T-Shirt Day. Those with overdue library books may return them on this day without having to pay fines.
Exhibits will be displayed throughout the week in the library. For information, call Dr. Rosemary Mokia at (318) 274-6122 /3354.