As part of RWC observance of African American History Month, the RWC Library has a bookshelf display commemorating the 19th National African American Read-In and African American authors. On Monday, February 4, the Third and Fourth grade students of Blue Ash Elementary gathered in the Muntz Hall Lobby to help celebrate. The students participated in a call-and-response reading, and several RWC faculty members, including Mike Roos, Judy Sprawl-Schmidt, Pat Cruise, Natalia Darling, Tami Phenix, Michelle McKinney, and Bob McGee, all read selections from African American books.
Other special guest readers included Rev., Dr. Everett Gregory, Assistant Pastor, Allen Temple A.M.E. Church; Calista Stone, Manager, Easter Seals Work Resource Center; Sycamore School Superintendent Dr. Adrienne James; and Blue Ash Elementary Principal, Marianne Sweetwood.
RWC student Delphine Armstrong also lent a hand. The RWC Library has also compiled a detailed list of African American books, sorted by genre and listed alphabetically by author. The list also includes reviews and title availability at local libraries. For more information, visit libraries.uc.edu/libraries/rwc, or stop by the library between classes to see the new display.
During the Read-In, there were also be free books for student parents, souvenir bookmarks for participants, a NAARI Reading List with webpage, and a sampling of southern cuisine, catered by Ollie’s Trolley, famous for deep fried turkeys.
The RWC Read-in was coordinated by Professor Tami Phenix, Director of College Relations Ginny Hizer, Librarian Michelle McKinney, and Multi-Cultural Affairs Director Helen Kegler.