The public is invited to the Newton Public Library at 6 p.m. Thursday in the meeting room for a book signing, presentation and Q & A with Iowa authors Dave and Barb Else.
The Else’s are authors of “For all the Small Schools: A Photographic Pursuit of Iowa’s Forgotten Schools.” Dave and Barb Else drove throughout Iowa to photograph more than 230 abandoned or repurposed high school buildings. Their hardcover book displays — in full color) —photos of the schools as well as notable athletes and facts.
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and into the early 1900s, the Iowa countryside was dotted with one-room kindergarten through eighth grade rural schools. In addition, nearly every town in Iowa had a high school, often just a few miles away. Due to declining enrollment and for purposes of efficiency, many of Iowa’s high schools were closed or merged with other districts beginning as early as the 1940s. For All the Small Schools is a photographic pursuit designed to rekindle memories of Iowa’s great rural schools and the communities they served.
This program is free to the public and open to all ages. Books will be available for purchase for $36.99 each. Refreshments will be served, provided by the Friends of the Library.