Temple Grandin speaks June 4

Vernon Area Public Library joins more than 200 Illinois libraries to host “The Hidden Gifts of Visual Thinkers with Dr Temple Grandin,” on Zoom on Tuesday, June 4, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to all; sign up online or call 224-543-1485. 

Dr. Temple Grandin is a prominent figure in the fields of animal science and autism advocacy. She's an American scientist, author, and speaker, best known for her work in improving the welfare of livestock animals and for being a leading advocate for autism awareness.

Although not formally diagnosed with autism until adulthood, Grandin learned from a young age that she processed her environment in a vastly different way from her peers. 

Written from the dual perspectives of a scientist and an autistic person, her book “Thinking in Pictures,” first published in 1995, upended the way the world understood autism. Her latest, “Visual Thinking,” published more than 25 years later, was an instant New York Times bestseller.

Grandin has used her experience with neurodivergence to advocate for better treatment and handling of livestock and is an expert in animal behavior. She holds a Ph.D in Animal Science from the University of Illinois and is a faculty member at Colorado State University. 

She's received numerous awards for her work, including induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Women's Hall of Fame.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. 

About Illinois Libraries Present

Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) debuted in 2022 as a way to bring virtual events with bestselling authors and diverse and esteemed speakers to communities across the state and counts more than 200 Illinois libraries as members. Joining forces for such events allow libraries to bring speakers to their communities that might not be possible due to budget constraints or production capabilities. In 2023, the initiative was recipient of the Illinois Library Association’s 2023 Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award for Interlibrary Cooperation, which is awarded annually in recognition of exceptional resource-sharing initiatives that benefit library users in Illinois.

ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Illinois Libraries Present is committed to inclusion and accessibility.

Season 4 of Illinois Libraries Present will begin in September with author and media personality Neil Gaiman.