San Leandro Public Library Receives Grant Award from Cal Humanities

Mayor Stephen Cassidy and the San Leandro City Council announced that the San Leandro Public Library has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Cal Humanities through its California Reads 2014 grant program.  

The award was provided for the San Leandro Public Library's project entitled "War Comes Home", which will run from September 20, 2014 to November 8, 2014.  

This community read will center on Karl Marlantes' What It Is Like To Go To War, a powerful account of combat experiences and a critical examination of how we might better prepare our soldiers for the psychological and spiritual aspects of war.

"We are excited to be selected as a recipient through the California Reads program," stated Mayor Cassidy. "This new grant funding will allow the City to host a great program focusing on the veteran experience."

California Reads is a new program of Cal Humanities that invites Californians from all walks of life throughout the state to participate in reading and discussion programs and related activities hosted by libraries, schools, colleges, bookstores and other community institutions. In 2014, this program will focus on the veteran experience; aiming to increase public understanding and empathy for those who have served, as well as to spark public discussion about how society can best support the process of reincorporating veterans into the fabric of civilian life.

The San Leandro Public Library will offer a variety of activities related to the book. Copies of the book will be distributed, and book discussion groups will take place throughout the community in private book clubs, at the Senior Center and various libraries. Other activities will include an appearance by Marlantes to discuss his book, a film festival about war, a panel discussion about the book with veterans, and an interactive discussion with veterans for high school students.

The San Francisco Chronicle praises the book, stating that: "What It Is Like To Go To War should be mandatory reading by potential infantry recruits and by residents of any nation that sends it's kids- (Marlante's word) - into combat."

California Reads is a program of Cal Humanities in partnership with the California Center for the Book. It is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

For more information on Cal Humanities, please visit www.calhum.org. For more information about San Leandro's grant award, please contact Mary Beth Barloga at 510-577-3992 or mbarloga@sanleandro.org.