MAHONING VALLEY Getting together for a talk

Conversation salons date to the Enlightenment of 18th century France.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University and the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County are teaming up in an effort to resuscitate a mode of communication that existed long before e-mail, the telephone, TV or radio.
"The art of direct, face-to-face conversation among a diverse group of interesting, well-informed, spirited people is in danger of becoming extinct," said Bob Loch, director of University Outreach at YSU's Metro College.
In an effort to prevent that from happening, YSU and the Public Library are creating a series of conversation salons at the Library. YSU and library officials announced the new program Tuesday.
The program will bring together a group of adults and senior citizens once a month to talk about current events, the arts, social and cultural issues, politics, ethics, entertainment, science, technology or whatever else may be on their minds.
"The goal of these conversation salons is simple: to have good conversation among the members and to engage the exploration of new ideas in an open discussion with others who share your interests," said Carlton Sears, Public Library director.
About the program
The salons will be open to adults age 55 and older and their spouses and will be conducted monthly beginning in June at the Main Library in downtown Youngstown, as well as the libraries in Poland, Austintown and Boardman.
They were coordinated with the help of Deborah Liptak, Public Library development director, and Anne Liller, librarian.
The Public Library and YSU will host information sessions to acquaint local residents with the program at 10 a.m. April 26 at the Poland Library and at 7 p.m. April 26 in the Austintown Library. (To register, call (330) 965-5800.)
At the information sessions, Norm Wien, the volunteer coordinator for eight conversation salons currently operating in the Pittsburgh area, will talk about the program. Participants will be able to sign up for the conversation of their choice during the information sessions.
Loch said conversation salons date to the Enlightenment of 18th century France, when philosophers, lawyers, politicians, artists, writers and ordinary people gathered informally in homes to discuss new ideas in government, education, human rights, liberties, feminism and developments in the arts and sciences.
"Today, TV and talk radio bring an endless parade of experts to us, and the print media brings editorials and opinion forums for us to passively absorb," he said. "Here is an opportunity to become an active participant in the larger world around you, to develop the skills of good conversation and to connect with others in your community."
For more information and to receive an application to participate, call (330) 965-5800 or (877) 978-9876, or write convsalo@cc.ysu.edu.