In 2017, the WCDPL Foundation began The Foundation Series with the goal of bringing widely recognized and engaging authors and speakers to our community. Due to the generous responses to our calls for support, the WCDPL Foundation is able to continue this and bring bestselling authors to our community. You can view some of these authors below.
Visits from these and future authors are only possible because of your support. To routinely host high-caliber guests, it is imperative to secure funds needed to cover speaker's fees and travel costs. Please consider a generous, tax-deductible gift to the WCDPL Foundation that will help ensure that the library and The Foundation Series continue as sources of vibrant and creative experiences for our community which provide ongoing opportunities for exploration, discovery, learning, and fun. Make a donation by clicking here, or contacting Angie Babcock at (419) 352-5104 ext. 216.
Beth Macy (2019)
Bestselling author, award-winning investigative journalist, and BGSU alumni Beth Macy joined us as our inaugural Foundation Series guest to discuss her book, Dopesick, which charts the devastating opioid crisis in our neighborhoods and across our nation.
Nate Blakeslee (2019)
Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Nate Blakeslee visited us in late 2019 to talk about his book, American Wolf, the story of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park.
Mae Jemison (2020)
Educator, scientist, and astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison visited and inspired us to "just look up" by sharing both her story as America's first Black woman to travel into space and why science and exploration are so important in our lives.
Danny Trejo (2022)
Bestselling author, restaurateur, and actor Danny Trejo joined us to share why, as he said, "every positive thing that has ever happened to me in my life has been directly in response to me helping someone else." Trejo's visit garnered huge community engagement for the library; all 740 tickets were spoken for in 48 hours and over 600 people were on the waitlist for the event.
Sonia Manzano (2023)
For over 40 years, Sonia inspired, educated, and delighted children and families as "Maria" on Sesame Street. Named one of the 25 Greatest Latino Role Models, Sonia has contributed to enriching diversity on television, on the stage, and in the educational realm. As a first-generation Puerto Rican born on the mainland, her tale is one of perseverance and courage as she overcame countless obstacles to become one the of the most influential Latinas on television.