Ivan Coyote’s Care Of is this year’s regional library choice

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library is part of a region-wide library event where members read and discuss the same book, culminating in an evening spent with the author.

“Last year, the libraries got together because we wanted to try a new initiative called ‘One Book, One Community,” said Debbie Krause, community engagement coordinator for the NOTL library.

According to a press release sent out by the One Book, One Community steering committee, “One Book community events are important because they invite the entire community to come together and start a conversation surrounding important topics. Additionally, they provide all community members an equal opportunity to participate as these events are free and open to all community members.”

Furthermore, it said that “creating a healthy and vibrant community is one of the Niagara Region’s Strategic Priorities.”

“Our One Book, One Niagara event is our way of helping to achieve this goal by providing all Niagara residents with the opportunity to come together to read, grow and discuss.”

This year’s selected title, Care Of, by Ivan Coyote, was chosen by representatives from each of the eleven public libraries in Niagara, as well as a representative from the Niagara College Library and Brock University Library.

“The Niagara Region has put forward a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2027 that identifies programs and services that meet the needs of everyone as an area of focus. The choosing of Care Of is a way that our Niagara libraries are able to work to fulfill this focus,” stated the release by the steering committee.

“Members of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s library in-house book club, Fireside Reads, read Care Of in December,” said Krause. “In February, they welcomed Celeste Turner, LGBTQ2+ Support Coordinator at the Niagara Falls Community Health Centre, to discuss what it means to be an ally and accomplice.”

“Celeste’s presentation highlighted the importance of empathy and the many ways in which we can foster acceptance and connection in our community,” said Krause.   

Coyote is a Canadian writer and storyteller who has written 13 books, and created four films, six stage shows, and three albums that combine storytelling with music. Their books have won numerous awards, been named a Stonewall Honour Book, and was long-listed for Canada Reads.

“Care Of combines communications received from readers and audience members with Coyote’s responses, creating a body of correspondence of startling intimacy, breathtaking beauty, and heartbreaking honesty and openness,” stated the steering committee. “Taken together, they become an affirming and joyous reflection on many of the themes central to Coyote’s celebrated work—compassion and empathy, family fragility, non-binary and trans identity, and the unending beauty of simply being alive, a giant love letter to the idea of human connection, and the power of truly listening to each other.”

“The culminating event is happening on March 29 at 7 p.m at Brock University where Ivan Coyote will be speaking,” said Krause.