Book discussion at library

White Pigeon Township Library is promoting a guest speaker who will be on hand for a program next week.

Perri Saunders, library director, said Jackson Kaguri  will appear at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 to discuss his book, “A School for My Village: A Promise to the Orphans of Nyaka.”

Born in Uganda, Kaguri has been involved extensively in international community efforts as a human rights advocate, fundraiser and inspirational speaker. In 2001, Kaguri founded the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project in response to the devastating effects of AIDS in his hometown.

Saunders said the library is fortunate and grateful to draw someone of Kaguri’s caliber.

Stewart named director

A longtime employee of the Three Rivers Public Library has been named director of the Colon Township Library.

Dave Stewart, a native of Peoria, Ill., started the job in late September following nine years of employment with the facility in Three Rivers. The 31-year-old Stewart, who remains a Three Rivers resident, replaces Patti Miller, who retired in the fall.

Stewart, who has degrees from Western Michigan and Wayne State universities, said he enjoys reading all genres of literature but is especially fond of fantasy, including Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

Geek the Library a success

More than 75 people attended Saturday’s finale of the “Geek the Library” promotion at White Pigeon Township Library.

The Geek the Library program started in June and was a campaign that allowed people to talk about subjects they like. The concept, according to library officials, was to remind people that information about their favorite subjects is available at the library.

Eight artists and entertainers were on hand and kept the mood festive.

“Methland” had large audience

An audience of more than 100 people crowded into Three Rivers Public Library Wednesday for the culmination of the latest St. Joseph County “One Book, One County” program.

The author presentation featured a 90-minute discussion and question-and-answer session by Nick Reding, author of “Methland.” The book was the second chosen this year by the “One Book, One County” selection committee and eighth overall.

Reding elaborated on what he witnessed in a small Iowa town plagued by meth production and use.

The book was chosen as the featured novel because of the rural and socioeconomic similarities between Oelwein, Iowa, and St. Joseph County.

Author to come to library

The St. Joseph County “One Book, One County” group is reminding the public it has one week to finish reading “Methland” before author Nick Reding will appear in Three Rivers to discuss the novel.

Though representatives from the county’s libraries that make up “One Book, One County” already had an author presentation this year, Reding’s schedule in 2013 likely would have not allowed him to make a local stop next year. As a result, Reding will be the second of two “One Book, One County” authors to make an appearance in 2012.

“Methland” focuses on an Iowa town ravaged by methamphetamine. Reding focused on the problem and steps the city’s leaders took to combat the issue.

His appearance next week will be at the Three Rivers Public Library.

Millage renewal passes

Two county millage renewal requests and an additional renewal request in White Pigeon Township were approved during Tuesday’s primary election.

The countywide votes saw the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging earn a six-year renewal of three-quarters of a mill. In addition, three-quarters of a mill renewal for six years was granted to the county E-911 central dispatch.

Both renewals, which passed with support from about 75 percent of voters, were for basic operations and will generate about $1.1 million annually for each entity.

Meanwhile, White Pigeon Township Library will continue to receive about $60,000 a year for four years starting in 2013, after voters in its jurisdiction agreed to renew three-tenths of a mill.

The request was approved by a 4-to-1 margin.

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