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Posts Tagged ‘greene county public library’

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Back to the Keys: Xenia Library Events Celebrate the Enduring Legacy of the Typewriter

In Books, Business, Children and Family, Dayton Ohio News, Education, history, Technology, Uncategorized on May 26, 2026 at 11:00 am

The Greene County Public Library and GLD Communications are teaming up to celebrate National Typewriter Day with two public events later this month at the Xenia Community Library, combining history, writing, and hands-on experiences centered around one of the most influential communication tools ever created.

The first event, “Typewriters in the 21st Century,” will take place Tuesday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. The presentation will be led by award-winning journalist, author, and typewriter enthusiast Gery Deer of Jamestown-based GLD Communications. According to event organizers, the program will explore the continuing relevance of typewriters in a modern digital world and examine their role in shaping communication, journalism, business, and creative writing.

A second event, a public “Type-In,” is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., giving participants the opportunity to bring their own typewriters or try a variety of machines supplied by collectors and enthusiasts. Organizers say the event is designed to create a relaxed, social atmosphere where visitors can experience writing in a slower, more tactile way while learning about the machines and the culture surrounding them.

Melissa Fasanella, Head Librarian at the Xenia Community Library, believes the “analog lifestyle” has really made a comeback in 2026. “This year our Library started a puzzle exchange, by customer request, that’s been popular for those who want to take a puzzle home or to give new opportunities to others to assemble puzzles they have already put together at home and want to give to us for reuse,” she said.  

SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE

“We’ve also seen several items that we loan out such as pickleball kits, telescopes, birdwatching kits, etc. circulate well this year so far as individuals and families are rediscovering more ‘unplugged’ hobbies.”

Deer added that the programs are intended to be about more than nostalgia. “With these events, we’re celebrating, not the machine so much, as what it represented and its relevance in the 21st Century,” he said. “The typewriter provided women with an opportunity to join the professional office workplace; it enabled the mass production of important legal documents and correspondence, and much more.”

“The typewriter was the forerunner of most of our modern communication equipment,” Deer said. “We still use the same QWERTY keyboard invented for the first typewriters on virtually every communications device.” He added that many people are rediscovering typewriters as a way to slow down and reconnect with focused creativity.

“And for the writer and general public alike, they’re getting a chance to disconnect and unplug from the digital noise that invades every part of our lives,” Deer said. Also participating in the type-in event will be TB Writers Plus, the only typewriter sales and service company in the region, run by Trevor Brumfield and Becca Brumfield. The business will have some typewriters on hand for attendees to try out, along with information on how to buy one.

National Typewriter Day is observed annually to recognize the invention and cultural impact of the typewriter, a technology widely credited with revolutionizing business communication, journalism, publishing, and office work throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries. While largely replaced by computers decades ago, typewriters have experienced a resurgence among writers, artists, students, and collectors who appreciate their mechanical simplicity and distraction-free writing experience.

The June 23 presentation is free and open to the public, though registration is encouraged through the library’s online event calendar. Organizers said the June 27 Type-In will also be open to the public and welcoming to both longtime enthusiasts and people who have never used a typewriter before.

Typewriters in the 21st Century Free Registration: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69cac953491b809c6f23e6e0

National Typewriter Day Celebration Type-In Free Registration: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69cfa70366c3387a9d05ae9b

Additional information and registration details are available through the Greene County Public Library website, www.greenelibrary.info, and the library’s online events calendar.

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Workshop Offers Writers a Roadmap to Making a Living with Words

In Local News on December 26, 2025 at 11:30 am

Xenia, OH – Writers at every stage of their journey are invited to take a candid look at what it truly means to earn a living through writing during The Living Writer with Gery Deer, scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Xenia Community Library, 76 East Market Street.

Presented by Gery Deer, founder of GLD Communications and an award-winning journalist, copywriter and creative director, the workshop is designed to pull back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of professional writing. Deer, who has presented versions of this workshop at writing conferences and retreats throughout the Midwest, brings decades of real-world experience to the discussion — including a career that spans journalism, marketing, ghostwriting and creative services.

“This is not a romanticized version of the writing life,” Deer said. “It’s honest, practical and, I hope, encouraging. I’ve heard some of my fellow writers say that being a writer for a living is like having homework every day for the rest of your life. I like to add — unless you love it — to that statement.”

The Living Writer offers participants a guided tour through the many paths available to today’s writers, from traditional journalism and freelance features to technical writing, corporate communications and even game storytelling. Deer emphasizes that there is no single “correct” path, but rather an opportunity for writers to identify their niche and align it with their skills, interests and background.

A key focus of the workshop is helping writers understand why businesses need writers — and how those writers can position themselves as valuable problem-solvers rather than commodity word producers. Attendees will learn how to market themselves effectively, build a professional portfolio and avoid the trap of low-paying gigs that can derail a sustainable career.

The realities of freelance life are also addressed head-on. Deer discusses project workflows, client expectations, payment timelines and how writers can set rates that reflect both their experience and the value they bring to a project. In addition, the workshop explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in writing, examining how AI can be used as a supportive tool while underscoring the importance of human creativity, judgment and voice.

Participants will leave with actionable exercises designed to strengthen their marketing writing, along with trusted resources to help launch or elevate a writing career. Deer, who authors the long-running op-ed series, “Deer In Headlines,” also shares personal insights from decades in the field, including lessons learned along the way and the perspective gained from a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

The January workshop is a condensed version of a comprehensive four-hour program that Deer offers independently each spring, making it an accessible introduction for those curious about professional writing or looking to refine their approach. Seating is limited.

Whether attendees dream of seeing their byline in print or prefer working behind the scenes helping organizations tell their stories, The Living Writer aims to provide both inspiration and strategy — and a clearer picture of how writing can move from passion to profession. Seating for this session is limited. For more information or to register, visit www.gldworkshops.com or contact Lauren at the Xenia Library at 937-352-4000 or by email at lsmallwood@gcpl.lib.oh.us.