Courage amid Chaos Highlights One Book, One Batavia Series at Batavia Public Library

BATAVIA – This year’s One Book, One Batavia community-wide reading program brings home harrowing tales of international intrigue, resilience and empowerment during the dangerous days of World War II.
 
One Book, One Batavia, which launches on Friday, March 28, is presented annually by the Batavia Public Library and co-sponsored by the Friends of the Batavia Public Library. The Friends, a nonprofit organization, provides a substantial portion of the funding required to host this month-long program.
 
The Batavia Public Library selected three books to unite us, with one geared for adults, one for teens and one for children. The adult selection is “Good Night, Irene” by Luis Alberto Urrea; the teen selection is “Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys; and the youth selection is “Allies” by Alan Gratz.
 
The teen and youth book selections are a new feature this year, designed to give residents from every age group the opportunity to enjoy these exciting stories together.
 
In “Good Night, Irene,” we follow Irene Woodward, who has abandoned an abusive fiancé in 1943 New York and “enlists with the Red Cross and heads to Europe. She and Dorothy Dunford, a towering Midwesterner with a ferocious wit, are part of a group of women nicknamed Donut Dollies who command military vehicles…at the front lines, providing camaraderie and a taste of home that may be the only solace before troops head into battle.”
 
To learn more about the teen and youth books, “Salt to the Sea” and “Allies,” please visit bataviapubliclibrary.org/one-book-one-batavia-2025.
 
This community-wide reading experience is designed to spark conversations about the stories and their themes and enrich readers’ lives by exposing them to a variety of books and ideas.
 
Librarians have created a diverse array of programs to help immerse our community in these stories, bringing them to life in fascinating, delightful and wacky ways.
 
The Kickoff Celebration is a special after-hours program from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on March 28. It will feature donuts and refreshments, WWII-era music and games, crafting, and the opportunity to learn about an easy way to help our troops.
 
That assistance comes through a donation drive, collecting personal items and supplies for troops, culminating in a group service project next month. Between March 28, and Friday, April 25, residents are asked to donate specific items for Operation Support Our Troops. A list of these items is available at osotamerica.org/comfort-and-care-package-program/products-needed. Items may be donated at the Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., the Jeffery D. Schielke Government Center, Batavia Park District Civic Center and Eastside Community Center, and Batavia Chamber of Commerce.
 
On Wednesday, April 30, we invite the community to help us box up those items during Operation Support Our Troops Care Package Pack. The event is free and individuals, families or groups may drop in between 3-5 p.m. or 5:30-8 p.m. to help pack the items. The Library, located at 10 S. Batavia Ave., will feature a card station for anyone who wants to send well-wishes to service members.
 
Visit our website at bataviapubliclibrary.org/one-book-one-batavia-2025 or pick up a program guide in the Library for more details on One Book, One Batavia programs offered throughout April.
 
The Batavia Public Library is one of the oldest public libraries in the Fox Valley, tracing its beginnings to the 1860s when it was a library association. The Batavia Public Library District formed in 1975. The mission of the Batavia Public Library is to provide and ensure access to materials and services to meet the lifelong learning needs of residents and organizations, as well as to create a welcoming place to gather, exchange ideas, and participate in cultural events.