Guest Column: Preparations for Literacy Month Bring Book Burning Memory

While talking about the Family Literacy Month’s Book Lovers Fair on Nov. 1, in which Orcas Islanders can exchange favorite books for free, Steve Henigson recalled a famous Orcas Island book-burning incident.

Book Burning Memory

By Steve Henigson

Back a while ago—maybe it was 2001—Frank Michels directed a readers’ theater performance of Ray Bradbury’s Farenheit 451 at the Orcas Library.

You might remember that Farenheit 451 has to do with censorship in a dystopia, and that the story includes the burning of library books. The performance, too, required a real book-burning bonfire.

Frank collected as many trashed books as the library had on hand, and brought a big boxful to our dress rehearsal. He was arranging an artful pile of them when somebody said, “Hey! Don’t burn that one. That’s a really good book!” The actor grabbed the prized volume and clutched it under his arm.

In moments, the entire pile of books was gone. Every performer had found, and grabbed, at least one book that just shouldn’t be burned.

The entire pile of books was gone, that is, except one. There was only one book that everybody agreed was not worth saving from the flames: The Little Golden Books version of Bambi.

“…But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends, it [gave] a lovely light.”

Orcas Family Connections and the Orcas Public Library are sponsoring Family Literacy Month in November, supported by a grant from the Orcas Island Community Foundation. The Orcas School District and Readiness to Learn are holding a Book Lovers Fair on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Odd Fellows Hall from 5 to 7 p.m.

Book Lovers can browse through tables of fine books, donated by Orcas Islanders who’d like others to enjoy their favorite books. The Friends of the Orcas Island Library are donating a choice selection of books for a freewill donation.

Book lovers can exchange their favorite books at the Library, the Senior Center, Orcas Island preschools, and the Chamber of Commerce  for coupons that can be redeemed for the book of their choice at the Book Lovers Fair.

“The Book Lovers Fair is NOT a fundraiser,” says organizer Margie Doyle, coordinator of Readiness to Learn. “It’s a browsing party for book lovers to draw attention to the love and pleasures of reading, in honor of Family Literacy Month.”