The Leland Township Library offers more than books this summer, as it takes on responsibility for the lasting legacy of the Leelanau Summinars.
The library has taken on the Leelanau Summinars, a program that provides an annual lineup of thought-provoking seminars across a wide variety of engaging topics.
Chelsea Hilton, the program coordinator of the event provided a lot of insight into the changing of hands and goals of the event.
The Summinars began in 2011, “as a private non-profit organization” and ran for 11 successful seasons, featuring many different professional speakers, both local and others from out of the area. A staple of the summers in Leelanau County, Summinars provided patrons with a chance to expand their knowledge and connect with the community through the means of regular discussions and speeches, and that won’t differentiate with the change of hands.
“The transition was a natural fit, as one of the core missions of a library is to provide its community with access — access to knowledge, information, community and connection,” Hilton said.
This year, during the first event scheduled for next Thursday, May 23 in the Munnecke Room of the Leland Library, Robert VanDellen, Ph.D will talk about the novels of Louise Penny.
The Summinars will all begin at 10 a.m and will remain in the Munnecke Room through the course of the summer. The remainder of the schedule looks as follows: Molly Moynahan and Cody Cook-Parrot, June 4 on The Evolution of Writing: Bridging the Digital Divide; JoAnne Cook, June 24, The Odawa People: History, Culture and Peacemaking; Dr. Christina Michelmore, July 15, on The War in Gaza - An Historical Perspective; Bill and Michelle White, and Emily Kantz, July 23 on addressing food insecurity Part 1: From the Heart; Christina Barkel, Rachael Cougler, and Taylor Moore, July 30, on addressing food insecurity Part 2: Coordinating Efforts and Empowering Communities; Dr. Joanna Quigley, August 20, on the current state of youth mental health concerns, and finally, Dr. Nikki Rothwell, September 12, onf arming in an uncertain climate.
More information about the experience can be found on the Leland Township Libraries’ website, under the heading of Summinars. The event’s seating will be first come, first served and all seminars will take place in the Munnecke Room.
Hilton spoke to many members of the community in order to get a grasp on what the audience would like to hear and hopes that, “the lineup features something for everyone.” Hilton also said that due to it being the “first year hosting Summinars, it’s important to make the program our own.
“At the same time, I knew there would be a learning curve, as we have big shoes to fill.”
Despite COVID throwing a wrench in the works of many similar programs, anything involving group discussion, the Summinars will remain just as strong as before. The Leland Township Library is working hard to make sure the Summinars retain their lasting-legacy and grow to new heights under their sponsorship, providing a brilliant and unique experience for the residents of Leelanau, and are “looking forward” to their first summer hosting this program, Hilton said.
