In August Peoria Public Library will present a variety of programs that have the goal of engaging the public in contemplation and discussion of the importance of community, civility and compassion in their daily lives. The program is a collaboration by the American Library Association and the Fetzer Insitute and the library programs are funded by a grant from these organizations.
The kickoff of the program is August 3 at Peoria Public Library Lincoln Branch from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. with a discussion of what compassion, equality and prejudices are and how they impact our community.
At Peoria Public Library Main Library on August 6 at 10:00 a.m. the program continues with “The Legend of the 1,000 Cranes” under the Peace Crane mobile on the main floor at the skylight. Kathy Knapp and Lori Paton will tell the story of the young Japanese girl who contracted leukemia from the Hiroshima atomic bomb and before her death attempted to make 1,000 origami cranes. Her school mates built a memorial to her and to their wish for peace. Hear the story and learn some simple origami.
One of the tools for discussion is a two-part viewing of the documentary Forgiveness – A Time to Love and a Time to Hate. Part one will be shown on August 6 at North Branch at 6:00 p.m. and part two will be shown on August 13. Each portion will be followed by a discussion. Forgiveness: A Time to Love and a Time to Hate is a full-length documentary that aired on PBS in April 2011. Divided in to two 90-minute acts, the film explores a compelling range of stories, from personal betrayal to global reconciliation after genocide. The stories told and issues raised in the film intersect with the Building Common Ground themes of community, civility, and compassion in provocative ways.
On August 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Main Library join a discussion of “Compassionate Peoria.” What is the Compassionate Charter? How can Peoria become a more compassionate city? Join your fellow citizens and talk about it.
Discuss the book Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong on August 12 at 2:00 p.m. at North Branch. Karen Armstrong, writer and comparative religion scholar, who received the 2008 TED Prize for her vision of a Charter for Compassion, asks people to “make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world.” Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life” offers a practicum for bringing the Golden Rule into play in everyday life.
If you or your group is interested in taking a role in any of these events, please call 309-497-2143. Join us as part of the discussion by yourself or with family and friends and consider how Peoria can become a more compassionate community.
Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion has been made possible through a grant from the American Library Association and the Fetzer Institute.