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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right;line-height:115%"><a name="_Hlk54247722"></a><a name="_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><img width="282" height="265" style="width:2.9416in;height:2.7583in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DA94DD.D0B86680" alt="A blue and green logo
Description automatically generated"></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:4.0in;text-indent:.5in"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">NEWS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:4.0in;text-indent:.5in"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:4.0in;text-indent:.5in"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">April 22, 2024</span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">____________________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">For More Information:</span></i></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Inger Schultz, (734) 945-2880, inger.schultz@libraryofthegreatlakes.org<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Maria McCarville, (989) 755-9833, mmccarville@saginawlibrary.org<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><a name="_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Great Lakes, Great Read Shared-Reading Initiative Announces Book Selections<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">In partnership with libraries,
citizen education groups, Sea Grant programs and universities throughout the eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces, we are excited to announce the books selected for the 2024 basin-wide shared-reading experience, Great Lakes, Great Read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“The Water Walker” by Joanne
Robertson is the children’s selection and the adult selection is “The Best Part of Us” by Sally Cole-Misch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“The Water Walker” is the story
of a determined Ojibwe grandmother, a “nokomis,” named Josephine Mandamin who walks to raise awareness of the need to protect “nibi” (water). Robertson wrote and illustrated the book, which was published in 2017.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Published in 2020, Sally Cole-Misch’s
award-winning novel “The Best Part of Us” explores a family’s connections to an island in the Canadian waters of an inland lake just north of Lake Huron, and how those ties are tested through nature and family dynamics.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Great Lakes Odyssey Radio Hour
Executive Producer Tom Leonard said, “Like never before, the Great Lakes, Great Read unites libraries across the watershed in linking youth and adults to award winning authors passionate about the cultural and ecological significance of our magnificent natural
resource.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“It’s terrific to have two
authors whose knowledge and commitment to the Great Lakes is demonstrated so beautifully in their insightful and engaging books for the inaugural year of our region-wide Great Lakes, Great Read,” said Inger Schultz, president and co-founder of the Library
of the Great Lakes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Swim Drink Fish Canada president
Mark Mattson said, “We are thrilled to belong to such an important initiative. Improving our understanding and appreciation of the Great Lakes watershed is a critical element in protecting and restoring it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Both selected authors will
be featured in a free webinar series on September 25 and October 2 and 9. All events will start at 7 p.m., ET, and will be open to all. The authors are available for in-person and online conversation and presentations with libraries, book clubs and other
groups.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Great Lakes, Great Read
website, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.greatlakesgreatread.org"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">https://www.greatlakesgreatread.org</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">,
offers further details on how to sign up, the authors, their books, book discussion questions, a toolkit, an email list signup option and other resources, including who to contact in each state and province to participate in the program.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Please follow Great Lakes,
Great Read on Facebook to get the latest updates, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatlakesgreatread/"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">https://www.facebook.com/greatlakesgreatread/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">This
initiative is made possible by an Ideas to Action grant from WiLS in Madison, Wisconsin. In-kind support was provided by the staff with the Wisconsin Water Library at UW Madison, Wisconsin Sea Grant, the Wisconsin Library Association and UW-Parkside.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"># # #
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><img border="0" width="240" height="199" style="width:2.5in;height:2.075in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.png@01DA94DD.D0B86680" alt="Series image"></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">
</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><img border="0" width="248" height="134" style="width:2.5833in;height:1.4in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.png@01DA94DD.D0B86680"></span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130913372"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk54247722"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk130901746"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bahnschrift",sans-serif">Maria McCarville, MBA MILS<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bahnschrift",sans-serif">Director <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bahnschrift",sans-serif">Public Libraries of Saginaw<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bahnschrift",sans-serif">505 Janes Avenue
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bahnschrift",sans-serif">Saginaw, MI 48607<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bahnschrift",sans-serif">989.755.9820<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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