The Friends of the Keene Public Library invite residents of the region to learn methods for more thoughtful and genial conversations with friends, family and others at See No Stranger: A Circle Conversation to Connect Our Community, on Saturday November 9 at 1 p.m. The two-hour session in Heberton Hall introduces some common language, then gathers attendees into small circles to discuss topics with shared guidelines. The groups will come back together to share their conversations and envision the restorative practices already in the community and other ways we can become more restorative in our relationships, our institutions, structures, and community at large.
The Circle Conversation will be facilitated by Leaf Seligman, author and restorative practitioner, and Patrick Heneghan, Director of Restorative Justice for Cheshire County. Seligman was inspired to bring the event to the Keene Public Library after attending the City of Keene Human Rights Committee’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day lecture by Father Greg Boyle. Father Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, the nation's largest gang intervention program, provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and incarcerated people. During the lecture Boyle and his Homeboys shared stories of how their respectful and positive interactions embolden gang members to leave destructive situations and rebuild their lives, thus restoring communities to a wholeness where everyone can flourish.
Seligman said, “When I saw that over 260 people from across the region attended Boyle’s lecture, I realized that the community was interested in being restorative –identifying and cultivating well-being and wholeness.” She approached the Friends of the Library with an offer to lead a Circle Conversation to continue the discussions started during Boyle’s visit. Seligman is a circle keeper and trainer in circle practice. Participants from her current training will be assisting break-out groups at the library’s event.
When Library Director, Marti Fiske, heard of Seligman’s offer she recommended that the Friends accept it. “During the Library’s strategic planning process, residents gathered in similarly led conversations to consider community issues. Several attendees asked us to offer more community conversations. They really enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people, learn more about others’ concerns on important topics and share their own views.”
Members of the Friends of the Library will be on hand to introduce the program. The Friends of the Keene Public Library, a 501c3 organization, promotes library use and supports Keene’s library in areas not funded by the city’s budget. Thanks to Friends of the Library, residents have experienced enriching programs for all ages at no charge since 1982.