Everyone is invited to engage and explore together as the 7th annual Salem Reads: One Book, One Community kicks off on February 1. This month-long series of events, activities, and displays explores the themes of Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. The book is available to check out from Salem Public Library in print, audiobook, and downloadable eBook, as well as in Spanish under the title Prohibido Nacer and as a young reader’s edition, It’s Trevor Noah.

Salem Reads is a project of the Salem Public Library Foundation.

Events are free and open to the public. Some events require advance sign-up.

• Salem Reads Art Exhibit: Art Inspired by Born a Crime - January 31-February 26 in the Art Hallway at Salem Public Library. View the work of local professional artists, available during all open library hours. Exhibit on display until February 26, then travels to regional libraries. 
• Fully Booked! Book Club - 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2 in the Collaboration Studio. Meet with other adults to discuss Born a Crime.
• Comedy Open Mic Night - 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2 in Loucks Auditorium. A family-friendly comedy event hosted by The Infinity Room. Free. First-come, first-seated for audience members. Adult and teen comics who wish to perform should sign up in advance.
• South African History Lecture - 2-3 p.m. Saturday, February 4 in Loucks Auditorium. Learn about the intricate history of South Africa from PSU professor Safia Farole, from colonialism to present time. Free. First-come, first-seated.
• Pathways to Citizenship Display - February 5-18 on Floor 1 at Salem Public Library - Grow your knowledge about what goes into the naturalization process in the United States.
• Deadline: The People Who Shaped Me Writing Contest for Teens and Adults - 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 7. Enter online or at Salem Public Library. 
• Brown Bag Book Club - 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, February 7 in the Collaboration Studio. Meet with other adults to discuss Born a Crime.
• A Look at Restorative Justice - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 7 in Loucks Auditorium. Learn how reconciliation can improve and bond communities through effective, equitable, and transformative approaches. Free. First-come, first-seated.
• Page Turners: Teen Book Discussions - 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 15 in the Teen Scene Room. Middle and high school-aged youth meet to discuss Born a Crime and It’s Trevor Noah. Advanced sign-up is encouraged. Drop-ins are also welcome.
• Working on Our Whiteness: An Oregon Humanities Conversation Project Event - 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 15 in Anderson Rooms A&B. This conversation is for white people to reflect together on what it means to “do our work” as white people, which includes taking responsibility for one another, educating ourselves, and coming to view other white people as our partners—not competition—in developing antiracist identity. Free. First-come, first-seated.
• Music as a Tool for Justice: An Oregon Humanities Conversation Project Event for Teens - 6-7 p.m. Thursday, February 16 in Anderson Rooms A&B. Middle and high school-aged youth are invited to dive into a discussion of the role of music in shaping memories, communities, and justice, led by facilitator Donovan Scribes. Advanced sign-up is encouraged. Drop-ins are also welcome.
• Adult Writing Workshop: Childhood Memoir - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18 in Anderson Rooms A&B. This free writing workshop focuses on recreating your childhood memories. Led by author Emilly Prado. Seating is limited. Advance sign-up is required.
• Teen Writing Workshop: Childhood Memoir - 2-4 p.m. Saturday, February 18 in Anderson Rooms A&B. Middle and high school-aged writers are invited to tap into their childhood memories to build dynamic stories in this free workshop taught by author Emilly Prado. Seating is limited. Advance sign-up is required.
• Effective Activism and Resistance - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 21 in Loucks Auditorium. Local activists discuss how to channel your passion for change into action in this discussion of local social justice efforts and their impacts. Free. First-come, first-seated.
• The People Who Shaped Me Writing Contest: Reading and Awards - 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23 in Anderson Rooms A&B. Hear the winning and honorable mention entries from our People Who Shaped Me 2023 Salem Reads Contest read aloud and celebrate our writers! Free. First-come, first-seated.

The Salem Public Library Foundation sees Salem Reads as an opportunity to increase the Library’s visibility, and act as a catalyst to bring the community together for discussions relevant to our time. Our selection of Born a Crime, allows broad community engagement as we offer programs on topics of importance to our city.