GLENVILLE, WV – A new campus-community activity is being developed through the collaborative efforts of the Glenville State College Department of Language and Literature, the Robert F. Kidd Library, and the Gilmer Public Library.

Dubbed the Little Kanawha Reading Series, the project aims to feature regional writers invited to Glenville as well as local writers and students to engage in a regular schedule of public readings, poetry slams, and related activities.

The project is being guided by a committee that is already working on planning and development of the series. The committee includes: Interim Director of GSC’s RFK Library Jason Gum, Department of Language and Literature faculty Dr. Matthew Thiele, Dr. Jonathan Minton, and Professor Melissa Gish, GSC English major Anna Childers, and Director of the Gilmer Public Library Lisa Hayes-Minney.

“The goal of the Little Kanawha Reading Series is to bring a variety of literary forms and voices to the communities around the Little Kanawha River. We plan to feature writers with national and statewide recognition, along with writers from our local communities. Our goal is to connect and enrich diverse literary communities,” said Minton. “We are planning an assortment of events, including a poetry slam for GSC students, and a summer event for children at the Gilmer Public Library,” he added.

The first event organized as part of the Series will be readings by Mary Imo-Stike, GSC Professor Dr. Marjorie Stewart, and Lisa Minney on Wednesday, February 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Robert F. Kidd Library at Glenville State College.

Readings by Danielle Kelly and contributors to the Trillium, GSC’s annual literary arts journal, followed by an open mic will take place on Wednesday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pioneer Stage on Main Street in Glenville. The Third Annual Student Poetry Slam, hosted by the Little Kanawha Reading Series, will take place on Wednesday, March 11 at noon in the Rusty Musket at GSC. Writer Janet Smart will read on Monday, June 22 at noon at the Gilmer Public Library; that event will also kick off the Summer Learning Program at the public library.

All readings will be free and open to the public.

A calendar of dates and featured readers for 2020 will be available soon, including summer activities for area youth.

The committee welcomes ideas and input from campus and community members.

For more information about the Little Kanawha Reading Series, contact Minton via email atJonathan.Minton@glenville.edu.