Boston Public Library
Other Programs and Events

Associates of the Boston Public Library

The 2011 Annual Meeting
and 100-Year Retroactive Book Award of 1911
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
6pm – 8pm
Abbey Room, Boston Public Library

Following a brief Annual Meeting, the Associates of the Boston Public Library conducted a Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award competition, weighing the enduring literary merits of best sellers published in 1911. Contenders for the 2011 prize were inventor Ray Kurzweil, who defended the Tom Swift series; comedian Jimmy Tingle, who made a case for The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce, and novelist Stona Fitch, who defended The Boy Scout Handbook. Christopher Lydon, host of "Open Source" at Brown University's Watson Institute, moderated the irreverent debate, after which the audience voted to determine the winner of the Book Award of 1911.

A reception with the panelists followed. The program was held in the Abbey Room of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.

 

Christopher Lydon

Christopher Lydon
Chris is the host of the Radio Open Source – "an American conversation with global attitude, on the arts, humanities,
and global affairs" – in partnership with the Watson Institute at Brown University.

 

 

 

Speaking for the Candidates:

Stona FitchThe Boy Scouts Handbook of 1911Stona Fitch
Stona is a former Literary Light; an award-winning author of powerful and disturbing novels, including "Give + Take;" and the founder of the renegade Concord Free Press, the world's first generosity-based publisher. He defended The Boy Scout Handbook.

Jimmy TingleThe Devil's DictionaryJimmy Tingle
Jimmy is a Boston social and political humorist; a theatre and comedy producer; and a stand-up comic, writer, commentator and actor for radio, television and film. He championed The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce.

Ray KurzweilTom Swift and His Sky RacerRay Kurzweil
Ray is an award winning author, inventor and futurist; a leading authority on artificial intelligence; founder of Kurzweil Applied Intelligence; and was named an MIT "Engineer of the Year." He promoted the Tom Swift series by Victor Appleton.

 

 

    

The 2010 Annual Meeting
and 100-Year Retroactive Book Award of 1910
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Abbey Room
Boston Public Library

The Associates of the Boston Public Library's Annual Meeting and Retroactive Book Award of 1910 was held on November 3rd. One of the Associates' most popular events, the contenders for this year's award were Tales of Men and Ghosts by Edith Wharton, Anarchism and Other Essays by Emma Goldman and Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams — all books by women effecting important social change.

It was a very close contest, but the "winner" was Twenty Years at Hull House!

Christopher LydonThe presentations were moderated by Christopher Lydon, host of Radio Open Source — "an American conversation with global attitude" — from the Watson Institute at Brown University.

Speaking for the Candidates:

Kathryn LaskyKathryn Lasky
An award-winning children's book author whose series The Guardians of Ga'Hoole has been made into the 3D movie The Legend of The Guardians, Lasky defended Tales of Men and Ghosts, by Edith Wharton.

Vivian GornickVivian Gornick
A teacher at The New School and author of the forthcoming book Revolution As a Way of Life: Thinking About Emma Goldman, Gornick promoted Anarchism and Other Essays by Emma Goldman.

Louise KnightLouise W. Knight
Currently a consultant with non-profits and foundations, Knight is the author of the new and acclaimed biography Jane Addams, Spirit in Action and championed Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams.

November 3, 2010
Abbey Room, McKim Building
Boston Public Library
6pm – 8pm

 

    

Highlights from the 2009 Annual Meeting
and 100-Year Retroactive Book Award
November 5, 2009

Watch Video Highlights

Associates of the Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Phone: 617-536-3886
Fax: 617-536-3813
e-mail: associates@bpl.org