The Santa Clarita Public Library’s third annual “One Story One City” program returns with free events and programming during the entire month of March. The program will be celebrating this year’s book selection Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars, by Nathalia Holt.
The “One Story One City” initiative encourages citywide discussions and promotes reading across all ages through one story. The program unifies our community through sharing literature.
Rise of the Rocket Girls is nonfiction, focusing on the women “computers” who handled complicated math problems at Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Their work contributed to the success of the country’s infant space program. As part of the “One Story One City” program, the library will be hosting the following free special programs to encourage discussion of the book:
“It’s in the Numbers” Art Exhibit and Reception – Residents are invited to view art inspired by numbers and the JPL “rocket girls” on Saturday, March 4 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Santa Clarita City Hall, located at 23920 Valencia Blvd. This free event will also include refreshments and entertainment.
JPL as an Innovative Workplace: A Panel Discussion and Meet and Greet with JPL Employees, Past and Present – Six Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) employees, including several “rocket girls,” as well as project managers and others, will answer questions submitted by library customers and students on Thursday, March 16 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Old Town Newhall Library, located at 24500 Main Street.
An Evening with Rise of the Rocket Girls Author, Nathalia Holt – Participants are invited to meet the author of the book on Saturday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Golden Valley High School, located at 27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway. Nathalia Holt will discuss her inspiration for her book and answer questions from the audience. A signing will follow.
For a full list of programs including book discussions and events geared toward children, teens or families, please visit SantaClaritaLibrary.com/OneStoryOneCity.
“We encourage residents to read the book soon so in March they can fully engage in all of our exciting free events,” says City Librarian, Kelly Behle.
Copies of the book are available at all three Santa Clarita Public Library branches in Canyon Country, Newhall and Valencia. Copies of the book are also available to buy through our program partner, Valencia Barnes & Noble located at 23630 Valencia Boulevard.
“One Story One City” is made possible by the support and partnership of the Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library, Valencia Barnes & Noble, the City of Santa Clarita, and California Humanities. California Humanities is an independent non-profit state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information on California Humanities, please visit www.calhum.org.
More information regarding the “One Story One City” program can be found online at SantaClaritaLibrary.com/OneStoryOneCity.
