Library to Host Community Conversations With Smithsonian Scientists

In celebration of its three month exploration of what it means to be human, Tompkins County Public Library will host scientists from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for two enlightening and educational community programs.

Being held in conjunction with the Smithsonian and American Library Association exhibit, “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?,” these presentations are designed to showcase the science behind the exhibit by offering opportunities for community members to connect with diverse personal and societal perspectives about who we are as a species and why it matters through the exploration of scientific discoveries related to human evolution.

Paleoanthropologist and exhibit curator, Rick Potts, Ph.D., will launch these events with a November 30 discussion on the major themes and messages of the exhibit.  Potts will offer an in-depth look at how fossils, archeological remains and genetic studies shed light on human connection with the natural world and explore the origins of sharing, caring and innovation.

Potts’ talk begins at 6:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room. He will also lead a guided tour of the exhibit.

Smithsonian scientists will return to TCPL at 6 p.m. on December 1 for a community conversation entitled, “What Does It Mean To Be Human.”  Led by Dr. Connie Bertka and Dr. Jim Miller, co-chairs of the Smithsonian Institution’s Broader Social Impacts Committee, this program will encourage understanding of differing perspectives on human evolution.  Bertka and Miller will be joined by Potts and Dr. Briana Pobiner from the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program.

“Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human” will be on display at TCPL—one of only 19 sites in the country selected to host the exhibit—through December 22.

TCPL, with the support of the Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth will continue the exploration of what it means to be human through February, with nearly 30 programs for families and adults.

For a complete list of programs and more information about the exhibit, visit http://tcpl.org.

For more information, contact Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org.

“Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?” was organized by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office. This project was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation and support from the Peter Buck Human Origins Fund.

Funding for related programs was provided by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation and made possible through the support of grants from New York State Council For the Humanities, Tompkins County Tourism Program, Derek and Leora Kaufman Charitable Fund, and Cornell University, and with program support from Paleontological Research Institution, TST BOCES and the Discovery Trail.