Released on: February 2, 2008, 3:55 pm

Press Release Author: Galyn Cresap

Industry:

Press Release Summary: Sunday, February 3 at 2 p.m. the Norman Public Library will
join thousands of organizations across the country and around the world in
participating in the nineteenth National African American Read-In. The Norman
Read-In will be in the Lowry room of the library, 225 N. Webster, and will feature
special guests from local schools and community, including Dr. Melvin Tolson, Jr.,
Dr. Meta Carstarphen, author Larry Colbert and businesswoman, Karla Bonzie.

Press Release Body: Sunday, February 3 at 2 p.m. the Norman Public Library will join
thousands of organizations across the country and around the world in participating
in the nineteenth National African American Read-In. The Norman Read-In will be in
the Lowry room of the library, 225 N. Webster, and will feature special guests from
local schools and community, including Dr. Melvin Tolson, Jr., Dr. Meta Carstarphen,
author Larry Colbert and businesswoman, Karla Bonzie.

"This is our fifth year to host the Read-In and it has become a very meaningful and
enjoyable experience for everyone involved," says Norman librarian Basha Hartley.
"It's a wonderful way for us to come together to experience literature in a very
personal, powerful way."

During the Read-In, literature written by African American authors will be on
display and available for audience members to select impromptu readings. Program
attendees may also bring their own short selections from works created by African
American authors. The panel of special guests will also read from their favorite
works.

In addition to the readings, the come-and-go event will include food, discussion and
performances by step dancers from two Norman elementary schools; the Jefferson
Dragon Steppers directed by Danielle Okundaye and the Kennedy Steppers directed by
Elisha Ashley.

Featured Reader Melvin Tolson, Jr. retired from teaching French at the University of
Oklahoma after 31 years. The university's Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center is
co-named in his honor. More recently, the movie, 'The Great Debaters,' produced
and directed by Denzel Washington and Forrest Whitaker, brought the Tolson name to
the big screen. Melvin Tolson, Jr.'s father received much recognition for his work
in education and his journey were depicted in that movie. Dr. Tolson will read some
passages from some of his father's work.

Meta Carstarphen, Ph.D., is associate professor and currently holds a Gaylord
Endowed Family Professorship for research in the Gaylord College of Journalism and
Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma. In August of 2005, she was
appointed Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, for the Gaylord College, in which she
served until July 2007. Carstarphen is also the author of numerous articles, book
reviews, feature articles, several book chapters, two edited books and one textbook.


Larry Colbert, owner and president of the Colbert House LLC, is the author of two
books, a novel titles songs of Zion and a Christian teaching manual, '33 Truths You
Should Know About Jesus and The Cross.'

Karla Bonzie is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a master's degree in
industrial engineering and is currently the Human Resource Manager at Johnson
controls, Inc. formerly York
African American Read-In continued


International. For more than 20 years, Karla has worked in a variety of positions
including engineering, business development and consulting. Bonzie has served on
many boards of directors in the community and is presently serving on the board of
directors of the United Way and the Norman Chamber of Commerce.

The African American Read-In is a project of the Black Caucus of the National
Council of Teachers of English, designed to make literacy a significant part of
Black History Month through the public appreciation of works by Black authors.

The 2008 Norman Read-In is coordinated by Bianca Gordon and local businessman,
Michael Tisdale. All events held at the Norman library to celebrate Black History
month are presented with support from the library, the Pioneer Library system,
Friends of the Norman Library, the Norman Arts Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council
and the Chamber of Commerce.

One of the Black History celebrations is the annual Crowns Tea, tickets for which
will be available at the Read-In. The much anticipated event is Sunday, February 24.

Visit Pioneer Library System's website at www.justsoyouknow.us for information about
other Black History Month observations within the systems' three counties;
Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie.


Web Site: http://

Contact Details: Norman Public Library
225 N. Webster
Norman, OK 73069