Library schedules hot topics
Dr. Jennifer Grace Bird will discuss her book, “Permission Granted: Take the Bible into Your Own Hands” on Aug. 16 at the downtown library. On Aug. 15, S. McEachin ‘Mac’ Otts will discuss “Better Than Them: The Unmaking of an Alabama Racistm” and Herb Lewis will present a workshop for building water features. (CONTRIBUTED)
HUNTSVILLE – The downtown Huntsville library will offer thought-provoking sessions on Aug. 15-16.
“We have an exciting slate of programs for this weekend at the downtown Huntsville-Madison County Public Library,” communications director Ann Marie Martin said. “We’ll be hot and cool during August Indoors on Aug. 15-16.”
These three free programs will be held in the second-floor Events Room.
Author S. McEachin ‘Mac’ Otts will discuss his book, “Better Than Them: The Unmaking of an Alabama Racist” on Aug. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For many years, Otts worked a child welfare professional as a counselor and director.
Otts also received governors’ appointments on the board of Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and State Children’s Policy Council. His book reflects “on how he outgrew his racist upbringing and how he returned to his hometown to interview select black demonstrators and white peers,” Martin said.
“His conclusions make this a memoir about his life and experiences in a racially divided world, but the book also reveals how a life is lived, celebrated and understood,” Martin said.
Also on Aug. 15, Herb Lewis will give a workshop on building water features for gardens from 2 to 4 p.m. Lewis teaches gardening and birding facts to many organizations in Alabama, including Huntsville Botanical Garden. Guests can enjoy free light refreshments.
The National Wildlife Federation has certified Lewis’ backyard as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. He will demonstrate three designs for garden water features, each one specifically designed to attract various birds.
On Aug. 16 at 2 p.m., Dr. Jennifer Grace Bird will discuss her book, “Permission Granted: Take the Bible into Your Own Hands.” Based in Portland, Ore., Bird works as a professor, writer and speaker.
“When her own mother violated 1 Timothy 2:12 by getting ordained, Bird felt led to dig deeper into scripture for herself and ultimately earned a doctorate degree in biblical studies from Vanderbilt University,” Martin said. From the South to Pacific Northwest, she challenges people of faith to engage the Bible without fear.
