On the Hippie Trail with Rick Steves

In the 1970s, the ultimate trip for any backpacker was the storied "Hippie Trail" from Istanbul to Kathmandu. A 23-year-old Rick Steves made the trek and documented his experiences along the way: leaping off a moving train in Yugoslavia, getting lost in Lahore, getting high for his first time in Herat, battling leeches in Pokhara, making the scene on Freak Street in Kathmandu, and more. That 60,000-word journal is now Rick’s newest book, On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer — and he is celebrating its publication with a new talk that illustrates how this coming-of-age trip inspired his teaching mission to equip and inspire Americans to venture beyond Orlando: to travel smartly by creating an efficient itinerary, eating and sleeping well, avoiding crowds, and packing light...to travel experientially, with the philosophy that the more understanding you bring to your sightseeing, the more you’ll get out of it, and meeting people carbonates your experience...and to “travel as a political act” by broadening their perspectives and coming home with the greatest of all souvenirs: a passion for building not walls, but bridges.

Purchase Tickets Here!

REBE HUNTMAN in Conversation with Dr. Christopher Fink - MARCH 5th at 6PM!

Welcome Rebe Huntman, memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher, poet, and Delaware resident, to celebrate the release of her highly anticipated memoir "My Mother in Havana!" This FREE author visit being held at the Delaware Library is being presented in partnership with Ohio Wesleyan University.

In this intimate conversation, the author offers a window into the extraordinary world of Afro-Cuban gods and ghosts and the dances and rituals that call them forth. As she explores the memory of her own mother, interlacing it with her search for the sacred feminine, Huntman leads us into a world of séance and sacrifice, pilgrimage and sacred dance, which resurrect her mother and bring Huntman face to face with a larger version of herself.

Rebe Huntman will be in conversation with Dr. Christopher Fink from Ohio Wesleyan University. Christopher Fink lives in Delaware, OH with his wife Liz and two children Amelia and Luca, and is a professor in the Department of Health & Human Kinetics at Ohio Wesleyan University. He also serves as the co-director of the Public Health program there, and his teaching focuses broadly on food and culture, public health, and qualitative inquiry. Recently, his research has focused on Cuban migration, food, and identity; the community and heritagization aspects of food festivals (particularly the Italian sagra); and program development around community food insecurity. His favorite things are his family, travel, cooking, sports (and coaching hockey), and all things related to Cuba and Italy.

The author will personalize and sign copies of her book after the presentation. Books may be pre-purchased at a 20% discount through the registration link below. Beanbag Books will also be on hand to sell copies of the book at the event.

Immerse yourself in Cuban food, music and images directly from Cuba in this entertaining evening.

This is a free event, however registration is required at the link below.

Ohio Birding Legend Kenn Kaufman!

The Friends, in partnership with Preservation Parks of Delaware County, were excited to host famed naturalist and Ohio birding legend Kenn Kaufman on October 17, 2024 and October 18, 2024. Kenn burst onto the birding scene as a teenager in the 1970s, hitchhiking all over North America in pursuit of birds—an adventure later chronicled in his cult-classic book Kingbird Highway. After several years as a leader of birding tours worldwide, he transitioned to a career as a writer, editor, and illustrator. His energy currently goes into book projects, 14 books to date, and painting bird portraits. Kenn is a field editor for the National Audubon Society, a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society, and the only person to have received the American Birding Association’s Lifetime Achievement.

On Thursday evening, Kenn discussed & signed his new book "The Birds That Audubon Missed" at the Liberty Branch Library.

The next day, Kenn guided participants on a beautiful morning bird walk at Deer Haven Park.

The attendees for both events were given a rare glimpse inside the mind of a truly wonderful birding expert. What a treat to have access to someone with his kind of knowledge to guide us all on our next nature hike. We weren't the only ones that enjoyed ourselves though. Below is an excerpt from Kenn's Facebook post after the event:

“To my fellow authors: if you get an invitation to speak at the Delaware County District Library (Ohio), go for it! I gave a program about my book, The Birds That Audubon Missed, at their beautiful new Liberty branch (in Powell, OH) on Thursday night, and it was a great experience.
I hope the citizens of Delaware County, Ohio, realize how lucky they are to have such an excellent library system and parks system. I felt lucky to be invited there, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit.”

Enchanted Evening with Joyce Maynard on July 10, 2024!

The Friends of the Delaware County District Library were thrilled to host NYT best selling author Joyce Maynard for the release of her new novel How the Light Gets In during an enchanted evening at the The Dempsey Event Center. In addition to her storied career as a writer of books about family, love and loss, Joyce is also revered for her memoir writing and healing workshops.

In front of a sold out crowd, guests saw a demonstration of singing bowls and chi gong before Joyce enchanted everyone with her stories and a reading about motherhood. Joyce was in conversation with our good Friend and author, Lee Martin.

A light summer supper prepared by Clara McCammon and team and a fun cork people station were enjoyed by everyone while Joyce signed her books with not only her signature but a special doodle. Guests came from as far away as South Carolina and Michigan. Lots of great feedback received including two library staff members who also brought their Moms!

Joyce was delighted with the evening event and posted a wonderful thank you on social media in appreciation of libraries and our Friends group. Here is what she had to say:

“I want to say a few words about libraries. Most of all, I want to say something about Friends of Libraries groups and the many men and women I’ve met over my years as a writer—and on my current book tour across the country—who make libraries one of the most precious resources in our communities.

Last night, as the guest of the Delaware County Library in Columbus, Ohio, I got to meet close to a hundred men and women---mostly from Ohio, but a few who’d travelled from out of state—for a conversation about my new novel, How the Light Gets In. We gathered in a fabulous glass atrium at the former home of an Ohio philanthropist, Judith Dempsey—now known as the Dempsey Center (surrounded by geodes from Judith Dempsey’s collection). It was an evening I will not forget.

But as lively and inspiring as the discussion proved to be, the most extraordinary part of the evening was going on in the Dempsey Center kitchen, where a team of Friends of the Library volunteers set out what they called “a charcuterie”—though it was so much more than that. A kind of art work…

The women who set out that presentation –also a cork-person-making station, and a Tai chi demonstration, and a a demonstration of singing bowls—are the largely unsung heroes of the library. So I’ll sing this out today, as loud and clear as I can.

Where would we be without libraries? Where would libraries be without Friends of Libraries.

That’s why, if there’s a Friends of the Library group that invites me to their city or town, I’ll always try my darnedest to get there.”

Zibby Owens - Author Meet & Greet on 4/4/24!

The Friends of the Delaware County District Library hosted author, podcaster and social media influencer Zibby Owens in support of DCDL during the PLA conference in downtown Columbus. Zibby shared the story of her new novel Blank about family, friends and book industry antics with lots of dramatic and hilarious surprises. She also shared great insights and perspective into the changing publishing industry. Librarians and guests from all over the country enjoyed Jeni’s ice cream at the iconic North Market. Lots of new friends and followers were made.

Zibby Owens is the author of Blank her debut novel about marriage, motherhood, and finding your purpose, Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature and also the children’s book Princess Charming. She is the creator and host of the award-winning daily podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books. Zibby is the founder and CEO of Zibby Media, dubbed “the Zibby-verse” by the Los Angeles Times. It includes publishing house Zibby Books, online magazine Zibby Mag, Zibby’s Book Club, retreats, classes, and events. She also owns Zibby’s Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Santa Monica, California. A regular contributor to Good Morning America and other outlets, she loves recommending books as “NYC’s Most Powerful Book-fluencer” (Vulture). Learn more about Zibby Owens by visiting her website at zibbyowens.com.

Authors & Ales - October 23, 2023 at 6:30PM at Ill Mannered Brewery

Ill Mannered Brewing Company was the location for a sold-out, fun evening with three amazing local authors, moderated by David Weaver, Executive Director for the Ohioana Library. Amy Butcher, Lee Martin, and Thao Thai generously discussed their writing processes to help kick off National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

Amy Butcher is the Director of Creative Writing at Ohio Wesleyan University and the author of “Mothertrucker,” a story about finding joy on the loneliest road in America.

Amy Butcher

Lee Martin is a Pulitzer Prize finalist for “The Bright Forever” and currently teaches at The Ohio State University. His latest book is “The Glassmaker's Wife,” a historical crime story.

Lee Martin

Thao Thai, who lives in Lewis Center, is a debut author whose book “Banyan Moon” was a recent Read With Jenna book club selection.

Thao Thai

LISA SEE - June 14, 2023 at 6:30PM at Liberty Library

The new Liberty branch of DCDL was the location for a sold-out visit from Lisa See for the launch of her new historical fiction novel Lady Tan’s Circle of Women on June 14th. During her visit, Lisa was informed that her new book had climbed to the #5 spot of the New York Times Bestsellers list! In her other beloved New York Times bestsellers Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane and Island of the Sea Women, Lisa See has brilliantly illuminated the strong bonds between women. These books have been celebrated for their authentic, deeply researched, lyrical stories about Chinese characters and cultures.

lisasee.com