Proclamation group photo
Proclamation signing
Nebraska State Capitol
January 13, 2016

L to R: Erika Hamilton (Humanities Nebraska), Mary Ellen Ducey (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), Chris Sommerich (Humanities Nebraska), Author Karen Shoemaker, Rod Wagner (Nebraska Library Commission), and Governor Pete Ricketts honor Shoemaker’s novel, The Meaning of Names, at a proclamation-signing ceremony for 2016 One Book One Nebraska.

See below to read Proclamation

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For users of the Nebraska Library Commission's Talking Book & Braille Services, the book is now available in talking book format.
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Discuss the book & author

Local activity: Host a scholar listed on the Speakers Bureau of Humanities Nebraska. Apply for a grant from Humanities Nebraska to finance your event. Public programs sponsored by not-for-profit organizations may be eligible for funding assistance from Humanities Nebraska. See http://humanitiesnebraska.org/speakers/categories-eligibility-requirements-policies/ for details on their Speaker's Bureau General Public Programs Eligibility Requirements and http://humanitiesnebraska.org/speakers/book-a-speaker/ for steps to book a speaker and to access application forms. Example program:
- "Behind The Meaning of Names" by Karen Gettert Shoemaker
  Karen Gettert Shoemaker, the author of the One Book One Nebraska 2016 selection, reads from and discusses the role of family stories and historic research in the writing of her historic novel The Meaning of Names. This presentation includes discussions of World War I, the Influenza Pandemic of 1918, the experiences of immigrants and first-generation Americans in the early 1900s, and the role of men and women in a changing society, as well as the many subjects readers bring to the conversation.
- "America and the Great War: 1914-1918 " by David Wells
  The role of America in "the war to end all wars" is misunderstood. Most people think only of the 1917-18 period when U.S. soldiers marched off to save the world, not realizing that from 1914-17 the nation was opposed to the war. Songs of the period show the changing attitude of the American public, from neutrality to anti-war sentiments to entry in the war and the ultimate defeat of Germany. World War II and the Cold War make more sense when you understand what happened between 1914-18. Wells features a special section of patriotic songs written by Nebraskans from Chadron to Omaha. A 45-minute slide program and a large display of sheet music are included.
Discuss the book using these suggested Discussion Questions
Video & audio resources
- The Meaning of Names (Book Trailer, 2014).
Articles

"The Meaning of Names" is the 2016 One Book One Nebraska selection! (November 16, 2015) – Red Hen Press
Karen Gettert Shoemaker is big in Omaha! (September 3, 2014) – Red Hen Press
Karen Shoemaker's "The Meaning of Names" is on the recommended reading list for The Humanities Nebraska Governor's Lecture 2015! (September 25, 2015) – Red Hen Press
The Meaning of Names by Karen Gettert Shoemaker (March, 2015) – World Literature Today
Book review: 'Meaning of Names' by Karen Gettert Shoemaker (March 30, 2014) – Lincoln Journal-Star
The Meaning Of Names (March 1, 2014) – Publishers Weekly

Program leaders: Please complete a short evaluation of your program [PDF] and direct members of your group to complete a participant evaluation [PDF]. Your valuable feedback helps to improve the One Book One Nebraska program.

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Governor's proclamation, January 13, 2016
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- News release — Nebraska Library Commission
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