Rusty Saber: Hall adds Wright stuff at Library Center

Once before the Rusty Saber focused on the Writers Hall of Fame. I added a disclaimer then, and I do so again: I'm a member of the organization's board of directors, meaning I have a vested interest in the topic. However, had I attended the event described below as an observer, not a board member, I'd still write this column.

The event in question was held at Springfield's brand new Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell.

By the way, in the unlikely event that you haven't yet visited the library, stop whatever it is you are doing as soon as you finish reading this, of course and run, don't walk, to see it.

Lots of new things lately have been promoted as 21st century. I'm here to tell you that the Library Center actually is 21st century. If you haven't seen it, you are in for a treat. If you have seen it, go back; you'll see things you missed. A library with a gift shop and a coffee and snack bar is my kind of library.

The event in question was a mid-February reception held in the Writers Hall of Fame Museum Memorabilia Exhibit area. The public was invited to join with the board in a first look at the new area, which includes photos of past Writers Hall of Fame inductees and display cases of writing memorabilia, much of it donated by past inductees. A writing museum in a library is surely an idea whose time has come.

Another purpose was to unveil a new display case holding the original galley proofs of Harold Bell Wright's "Shepherd of the Hills." If any one thing can be said to be the foundation for tourism in the Ozarks, it's "Shepherd of the Hills."

The famed Ozarks writer was inducted posthumously into the Writers Hall of Fame in 1997. The manuscript recently was donated to the hall of fame by friends of the author.

Finally, the names of inductees for 2000 were revealed. The deceased writer to be honored will be Theodor Geisel, better known to all children and adults as the legendary Dr. Seuss. Living authors include Don Coldsmith, author of 35 books, 150 magazine articles and 1,300 newspaper columns; Lori Copeland, author of more than 50 books; C.W. Gusewelle, journalist and columnist for The Kansas City Star, and the author of short stories, essays, articles, TV documentaries and six books. All have received numerous prestigious national and international writing awards.

Since 1995, the following writers have been inducted: Mark Twain, David Harrison, John K. Hulston, Ellen Gray Massey, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Sandy Asher, Edith McCall, Jory Sherman, Harold Bell Wright, Janet Dailey, James Giglio, Suzann Ledbetter, Langston Hughes, Vicki Grove, Robert Vaughan, Lanford Wilson, John Neihardt, Billie Davis, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Michael Wallis. An admirable list, indeed.

The induction process is only a part of what Writers Hall of Fame is all about. Honoring excellence among professional writers notwithstanding, the most compelling purposes are to stimulate interest in writing among young people, and to promote lifelong writing. To these ends, the hall of fame sponsors a five-day writing camp for students in grades 7-12 at Drury University and provides scholarships for the camp.

As well, winners of the Language Arts Department Writers Hall of Fame writing contest from throughout the Ozarks are recognized; high school graduates with strong writing skills are awarded $500 college scholarships. In 1999, 16 scholarships were awarded.

The Writers Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Reader's Theater will be at 6:30 p.m. April 27 at the Springfield Art Museum. The honored writers will be inducted; excerpts from their writings will be read aloud; snippets from the student writing contest will be read and student scholarships awarded. Tickets may be purchased for a $10 per-person, tax-deductible donation. For more information, call 823-0558. Anyone wishing to contribute to the scholarship fund may do so by calling the same number.

OK, I admit it, this has been a commercial for the Writers Hall of Fame. Actually, it's a commercial for writing, be it award-winning professionals or students trying on their writing wings for the first time.

I can abide a commercial for products like these.

(Joe McAdoo is former chairman of the communication department at Drury University and a Springfield public relations consultant.)