One Book One Community: Hidden Figures

Each spring, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library brings a laser focus to its efforts to encourage literacy in the area. It's not just that folks in Greater Baton Rouge should read, but that they all should read one book. This year's One Book One Community selection is Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, made into an award-winning 2016 film starring Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, and Janelle Monáe. Shetterly's non-fiction work follows the African American women who worked as mathematicians for NASA and battled discrimination to have their abilities and efforts duly recognized. This year's One Book One Community begins with a launch party; special guests include Dr. Tamiara Wade, former Learning Expert at the NASA Stennis Space Center, and Alyssa Carson, a 16-year-old astronaut-in-training. Partners Forum 35 also will be on hand to welcome the NASA STEM Team. 6 pm at the Main Library. Visit ebrpl.com for full programming for One Book One Community. And go to the nearest library branch to grab your copy!