Events

The library hosts a range of events on both a recurring and occasional basis. (Looking for a listing of all NMC events? Check out NMC's General Events Calendar and Student Activities Calendar).

Volunteers Needed for Embrace the Dream Read-Aloud and Craft Events

A Celebration of Black History Month, Diverse Characters and the Power of Reading to Break Down Barriers

NMC Library Embrace the Dream ReadAloud 2025Planning is in process for this year's fourth annual Embrace the Dream programming hosted by the NMC Library and co-sponsored by the DEIB Committee and Student Life. We anticipate reaching 150 or more children during this year's events.

In addition to the Blair Elementary fourth graders who will read & craft with their NMC Mentors, approximately 65 Traverse Heights Elementary fourth and fifth graders will participate in classroom events facilitated by NMC Volunteers (hopefully including YOU!), and another 30-40 children ages 3-12 are expected to participate the Read Aloud and Craft Night hosted in the library. The books have been selected with an eye for great stories and diverse characters and are written and illustrated by Black authors and artists. In addition to a read-aloud with our volunteers, each child will complete a craft and receive their own copy of the book to keep.

We have many young people to reach this year and we need many volunteers to make it happen. We are counting on NMC employees, students, alumni, and Foundation members to turn out in large numbers to ensure this program series' success. To that end, please use the 2025 Embrace the Dream Read-Aloud & Craft Event Series Volunteer Form to volunteer for one or more of the events. Also, please share this volunteer opportunity with colleagues, students, and other NMC community members and encourage them to volunteer too!

Global Literature Reading Group

The NMC Global Literature Reading Group meets twice a year, bringing together NMC students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines to discuss a book about life in another culture. The group aims to stimulate critical thinking, literary enjoyment, awareness of global diversity, and cultural interconnections in support of the college’s strategic direction to ensure that NMC learners are prepared for success in a global society and economy. Anyone is welcome to join!

Cover of Border by Kapka KassabovaOur upcoming selection is Border by Kapka Kassabova. The discussion will take place Thursday, April 10 from noon to 1 p.m. in the NMC Library Reading Room on the second floor of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center.

Copies of the current semester's Global Literature Reading Group selection are available at the library. Email Nicco Pandolfi at npandolfi@nmc.edu with any questions, or to reserve a copy.

Some Recent Global Lit Reads

  • Behind You is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj (Fall 2024)
  • The Impossible City: A Hong Kong Memoir by Karen Cheung (Spring 2024)
  • The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak (Fall 2023)
  • Planet of Clay by Samar Yazbek (Spring 2023)
  • Grey Bees by Andrey Kurkov (Fall 2022)
  • The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa (Spring 2022)
  • The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg (Fall 2021)
  • The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac (Spring 2021)
  • Snow by Orhan Pamuk (Fall 2020)
  • The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú (Spring 2020)
  • Blue Label by Eduardo Sanchez Rugeles (Fall 2019)
  • Tears of Salt: A Doctor's Story by Pietro Bartolo & Lidia Tilotta (Spring 2019)
  • Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (Fall 2018)
  • A House Without Windows by Nadia Hashimi (Spring 2018)
  • The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba (Fall 2017)
  • My Son's Story by Nadine Gordimer (Spring 2017)

Curiosities: Voyages Beyond the Stacks

Finally, a 'book club' for the book club skeptic!

Structured as an ongoing series of topical explorations, CURIOSITIES is a chance to connect with fellow lifelong learners at NMC. We take one topic at a time, spending four consecutive weeks per topic. Each week we gather to discuss a shared bit of reading, listening or viewing.

Curiosities is currently dormant, but stay tuned for one-off events in a similar vein this year, and in the meantime you can check out the resources we explored in past sessions of the series below.

Past 'Curiosities' Topics

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