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The city of Livermore has announced its 2024 selection for the community reading program Livermore Reads Together – “There There” by Tommy Orange.
Throughout the month of March, the Livermore Public Library will host a number of events that coincide with major themes in the book and honor Native American heritage. This year’s program marks the 18th annual Livermore Reads Together.
The book was chosen out of six titles, curated by the Tri-Valley Native American Center (TVNAC), via online and in-person community voting.
“(‘There There’) is a really important book, it has been highly critically acclaimed for its storytelling and the things that sheds light on,” said Tina Henson, TVNAC program specialist. “It gives you a very intimate and honest look at what a lot of Native American citizens and communities go through even today.”
TVNAC works collaboratively with school districts in Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore and Castro Valley to provide resources for indigenous youth.
“We really act as a community support system for Native American youth in the Tri-Valley area. This includes academic support, cultural enrichment workshops and counseling,” Henson said.
“The center is also open to the public as a Native American History Museum and Library. Teachers, students and community members are open to check out our resources. Classes are also able to take field trips to the center and see the artifacts we have and educational material from the Ohlone tribe and other nations too,” added Henson, who will be leading a number of events during the month.
“There There” follows an ensemble of characters of Native American descent. As the plot progresses, characters struggle with coming of age, understanding their history in a post-colonial age and reconnecting with their communities. The cast, seemingly not connected at first, eventually find their lives are all intertwined as they attend a powwow event set in the Oakland area.
Released in 2018 as Orange’s debut novel, “There There” was a 2019 Pulitzer Prize finalist and a 2018 National Book Award winner. Orange is an Oakland native and currently resides in the Bay Area.
To kick off the month, the Livermore Public Library will host a powwow event at the Civic Center Library Plaza (1188 S. Livermore Ave.) this Saturday (March 2) at 1 p.m. Native American culture will be celebrated with art, song and dance on display from regional creatives.
On March 9 at 11 a.m., poet Elizabeth Jimenez Montelongo will lead “Empowerment Through Identity Poetry Workshop” at the Civic Center branch. Registration is required to participate; call the library at 925-373-5505.
Henson will host a dreamcatcher workshop for teens at the Rincon Branch Library on March 11 at 6 p.m. During the activity, youths will learn how to make dreamcatchers and the cultural significance behind them.
She will also lead several beadwork classes for children throughout the month. Ages 1-5 can join Henson at the Springtown (March 12, 4 p.m.), Rincon (March 15, 3:30 p.m.) or Civic Center (March 16, 2 p.m.) public library branches. Materials will be provided and no registration is required.
“Beadwork can be a very important, hands-on way for students to learn about their heritage – especially the younger kids,” Henson said. “It gives them a way to interact with their culture while also being creative in a safe environment.”
Two film screenings shed light on the raw and powerful lives of modern-day Natives.
A showing of “Oyate”, a 2022 documentary, will take place March 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center branch. The film follows activists of the No Dakota Access Pipeline (#NoDAPL) movement and its aftermath. Speakers in the film discuss moving through the world deconstructing stereotypes and larger systems of oppression.
“Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” will be shown on March 23 at 3 p.m. at the Civic Center branch. The documentary highlights the role of Native Americans in contemporary society music.
Librarian Paul Sevilla will lead a discussion on the Livermore Reads Together 2024 book at the Civic Center branch on March 26 at 7 p.m. Along with discussion participants, Sevilla will outline the major themes of the novel and share reading reflections.
To close out the 2024 program events, Livermore poet laureate Peggy Schimmelman will host a poetry reading featuring Native American writers at the Civic Center branch on March 30 at 2 p.m.
From March 1-31, an art exhibition highlighting Native artists will be on display at the Civic Center Library branch Art Gallery.
To find out more about the Livermore Public Library, visit library.livermoreca.gov.
