Plainsboro Library program to discuss Nobel Prize-winning authors’ works
By: Allison Musante
PLAINSBORO The Plainsboro Public Library is inviting children and adults to participate in its Nobel Dreaming Discovery workshop in which participants will discuss the work of Nobel prize-winning authors with award-winning area poet-teachers.
Each workshop will focus on one of the three selected pieces of literature, Toni Morrison’s "Song of Solomon," William Faulkner’s "New Orleans Sketches," and Ernest Hemingway’s "Old Man and the Sea."
Each workshop will meet three times, for two hours, over three weeks and have a different focus each meeting.
The first will be an introduction to the life of the author, the second a discussion of the selected work and the third a challenge to write in the style of the author.
A poet-teacher will facilitate each workshop.
Lois Harrod will begin the workshop series with "Song of Solomon" on June 21, 28, and July 5 at 7 p.m. Ms. Harrod is the supervisor of creative writing at the New Jersey Governor’s School of the Arts and the College of New Jersey in Ewing. She has authored many volumes of poetry including "Every Twinge a Verdict" and "Crazy Alice."
Eloise Bruce will facilitate the next workshop on "New Orleans Sketches" on July 3, 10, and 24 at 7 p.m. Ms. Bruce is a teaching artist for New Jersey Writer’s Project and a published poet. She is a frequent teacher for Plainsboro’s summer programs.
For the final workshop, Charles Johnson will discuss "Old Man and the Sea" on July 12, 19, and 26 at 7 p.m.. Johnson is the night editor and poetry reviewer for the Home News & Tribune in New Brunswick, a teacher at Middlesex County Arts High School, and the author of "Tunnel Vision" and "Sam’s Place." He also wrote the poems inscribed on Plainsboro’s Veteran’s Memorial.
"It will be a privilege to be in the room with these teachers and mentors," said Library Director Jinny Baeckler.
Ms. Baeckler said she wanted to have a "Nobel theme" for the library’s annual summer workshop for some time. She read several books about Nobel prize-winning authors, and the values and attitudes that helped them win. The opportunity arose when the library received a grant to fund the event.
The workshop is not just about winning the Nobel prize, she said, but making connections among people of many different ages and backgrounds.
"We’ll have a mixture of young and old and many different backgrounds," Ms. Baeckler said. "It will be a discussion across ages and borders."
To match the diversity of participants, Ms. Baeckler said the three works of literature were chosen to educate and appeal to many people, including those who may not have grown up in the United States. "These works are part of the vocabulary of life," Ms. Baeckler said, adding that the workshops will not resemble a school atmosphere but rather an opportunity for free and stimulating discussion.
"That’s the point of this," she said. "For enjoyment, discovery and to get the creative juices flowing."
Registration is free and open to the public, ages 12 and above, but each workshop is limited to 15 participants. Ms. Baeckler said many people have already registered.
Participants will receive copies of the selected literature free of charge and must pledge to read the assigned work, be prepared for discussion and be present at all three sessions.

