1. Perm Kray A.M. Gorky Library
May 2012

2. American Corner Team in 2011-2012
Since its foundation in 2003 the
Andrei Khokhryakov American Corner in Perm had been
AC Coordinator led by 20 coordinators & assistants.
On different time & schedule basis 4
(since October 2010)
people have been working with us
since May 2011.
Yekaterina Sitnikova
AC Deputy Coordinator Olga Podoplelova
(since April 2011) AC Deputy Coordinator
(January 2011 - September
2011)
Julia Gabidullina
AC Deputy Coordinator
(since May 2012)

3. Inspiration: National and International
Events Participation
In 2012 Perm was
nominated the Library
Capital of Russia. The All-
Russia Library Congress
took place here in
May, attracting 960
delegates from Russia and
The CongressPerm kray.
was
Among the foreign guests
attended by the Deputy
and speakers was Ms
Head of Ministry of
Barbara J.Ford, Director
Culture of Russia Grigory
for Mortenson
Ivliev, Minister of Culture
Center, University of
of Perm Kray Aleksander
Illinois, Urbana
Protasevich, President of
Champaign, USA, a
the Russian Library
former Director of
Association Vladimir
American Library
Firsov.
Association.

4. Inspiration: National and International
Events Participation
Participating the International Visitor Leadership
Program “Modern Library: Traditions and
Innovations”, (June – July 2011) by the US Department
of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs, Washington DC, USA. Professional exchange
covered the visit to the US Library of
Congress, attendance of the ALA Conference in New
Orleans, and libraries of
Maryland, Virginia, Washington, Louisiana and North
On his return back home our
Carolina.
Perm delegate - AC Coordinator
Andrei Khokhryakov made a
speech on the visit at the Perm
Kray Library
Conference, published an
article, and opened the picture
exhibition “The Sounds of the
Melting Pot” – multiplying the
experience .

5. The New Course: Choosing Deeper Topics
Our new approach to the work of
the American Corner in Perm is
choosing deeper topics for
discussion – looking at popular
holidays from different
perspective. This means we – the
AC Staff in the first place have to
explore the American culture
and history.

6. The New Course: Connecting Issues
Example: Talking Columbus Day at the American Corner became a part in the
chain of discussions dedicated to national culture and self-identity – to mention
US, Russian and African cultures our participants belong to.
Although Columbus played a meaningful role in American history, his heritage
remains dubious, as often associated with conquering of the Native
Americans, overshadowing and tumbling their unique indigenous culture with the
glitter of his contemporary European values. What are the pro's and con's
commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival, what is the life of US immigrants
& ethnic minorities today, what are their burdens and expectations? – these issues
were raised as a part of our Tuesday discussion club with Mr Robert Bates
(USA), referring to latest US web-news, evolving discussions.
As a more traditional contribution to Columbus Day as a holiday, the American
Corner also prepared the book exhibition "Discover America" – presenting
literature on American history and geography, government and law system, ethnic
groups and traditional art. The exhibition helped the viewers to stretch their
interests beyond the common web surf and lay their hands on what is ever
valuable – books.

7. The New Course: Connecting Issues
American Indians Heritage
Martin Luther King Day;
Columbus Day: Beyond the Dimensions;
The Week Against the Racial Discrimination;
A Profi Workshop in Photography for International Patrons of Perm AC
Meeting with Nana Ifeanyi McDonhenry, a guest from Nigeria. Discussion
"Identity: Roots, Links and Reflection“.

8. The New Course: Enhancing Communication
Deeper topics involve enhancing communication, for not
every English speaking person can lead a group. We try to
regularly prepare presentations for our weekly discussions
and facilitate for the dialogue between our patrons, guests
and American volunteers

9. The New Course: Widening Our Targets
For future we plan to present our American
Corner in different schools and institutions of
Perm. This will allow us to attract more people to
the Corner and Perm Krai Library in general.
The database of educational institutions has been
formed already. However, it will require more
efforts to implement outreach activities.
So far outreach presentations throughout this
year covered a local gymnasium, several schools
from the Tchaikovsky district (Perm kray) and
A distant-learning seminar within a local Perm State Academy of Agriculture.
project “Kafe Evropa” allowed the Perm AC to
make a presentation for school children of the In the falls 2011 the Sister Cities Committee of
remote Tchaikovsky district (Perm kray, spring Perm joined forces with the American Corner to
2011). run a contest of essays on twinned cites
relationships, particularly Perm-Lousville (USA)
and Perm-Oxford (UK).

10. Major Projects:
the News Club
Our major long-going source for
discussion groups remains
Robert Bates, an American
volunteer who has been living in
Perm for 3 years. We had to
reinvent the usual “general”
discussion group Robert
previously run, going for what
might change the variety of hot
topics, i.e. news. The choice
appeared to be positive as it
does not require extra
imagination within staying in
tune.

11. Robert Bates is the leader
of discussion clubs:
“The News Club”
“The History of American
Music” (2011)
The meetings took place
once a week on
Thursdays
Robert Bates

12. Major Projects:
The USA: the Country and People
One of the most popular Clubs at the
American Corner has started with the
coming of the new team of American
volunteers – Brad Horn, Janet Holloway and
David Sechrist. Together they run an open-
minded presentation & discussion group
“The USA: the Country and People”.

13. Brad Horne is the leader
of discussion club
“The USA: The Country
and People”
The meetings take place
twice a month on
Mondays
Brad Horne

14. Newcomers to the
American Corner
Dawn & Layna

15. Major Projects:
The Book Club
The most effort-taking discussion group is
the Book Club, aimed at deeper observation
of the rich literary heritage of the United
States and English-English text
analysis, including works by contemporary
authors. The Club is run by our youngest
Elizabeth Williams, together with Andrei
Khokhryakov, AC Coordinator.

16. Elizabeth Williams is the
leader of discussion group
“The Book Club”
The meetings take place
twice a month on Mondays
Elizabeth Williams

17. Our Baby Jumbo
6-Months Weekly Project :
“The History of American Music”

18. “The History of American Music”
24 Topics Explored and Presentations Prepared

19. A Shot from the Presentations:
Jimi Hendrix’s Gear
James Marshall "Jimi"
Hendrix (born Johnny
Allen Hendrix; 1942 –
1970) was an American
guitarist and singer-
songwriter. He is widely
considered to be the
greatest guitarist in
musical history, and one of
the most influential
musicians of his era across
a range of genres. using
the recording studio as an
extension of his musical
ideas. He was one of the
first to experiment with
stereophonic phasing
effects for rock recording.

20. Book Exhibitions
Every time we get a
book donation by
the US Embassy in
Moscow or US
Consulate General in
Yekaterinburg we
form book
exhibitions. Also, on
our own initiative
we formed a bigger
outreach exhibition
“Russia and the USA:
the Epoch of
changes”, dedicated
to the 20th
anniversary of
Perestroika.

21. Educational Information and Projects
Assisting the Pericles Law School (Moscow)
for a distant English language test

22. 50 States: Discover America!
Pennsylvania, July 2011
On July, 28th American Corner in
Perm hosted a meeting with Timothy
Rothhaar, a tourist from
Pittsburgh, PA.
Timothy prepared a very informative
presentation about his mother
state, telling about the history of
Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh, state
symbols and places of interest. The
visitors had a lot of fun learning some
Pittsburghese, listening to a song in
the local Pittsburgh dialect, and asked
questions about Timothy’s
university, social care policy in the
United States, and his personal
thoughts and impressions about
Russia.

23. A Profi Workshop in Photography
for International Patrons of the American Corner in Perm
A professional workshop
“Summertime: A Chance to
See” by Ms Natalia
Krylova, local photo artist, took
place in Perm, inviting
international patrons of the
American Corner.
“Summertime: A Chance to
See” became a sister project of
the “Summertime: a Chance to
Smoothly Read” and the
“Summertime: a Chance to
Listen” - brand new programs
recently launched by the
American Corner staff in Perm.

24. The Cold War and Propaganda:
Tracing the Misled, Searching for Alternatives
Are Americans and Russians really different from each
other? How do we define what is in common, and what
makes our national identity? Has it always been the
same? How did we look at each other previously?
Through the history, what had been the Cold War? -
These questions were raised by the American Corner
visitors on 30 May at "The USA: Culture & People" Club
run with the American Corner in Perm.
Our casual interest and
presentations both by
AC staff and American
volunteers lead to a
book exhibition and
then a discussion group
at the site of Memorial
Museum for Political
Repressions “Perm-36”
(Chusovskoy
District, Permsky Kray).

25. The International Civil Forum "Pilorama-2011"
Exhibition at the site of the Memorial Museum
of Political Repressions “Perm-36”
“Russia and the USA: the Epoch of Changes”
Video presentation by the American Corner Staff
for the International Civil Forum “Pilorama-2011”

26. The International Civil Forum "Pilorama-2011"
Exhibition at the site of the Memorial Museum
of Political Repressions “Perm-36”
On July 30-31, 2011 the American Corner in Perm
together with the Perm Kray A.M. Gorky Library
took part in the International Civil Forum
"Pilorama-2011" dedicated to the 20th
Anniversary of Perestroika. Over the weekend the
American Corner's exhibition on Russian
American relations, multimedia presentations and
discussion groups attracted over 500 guests.

27. Meeting on a Public Diplomacy
with Dr.Vladislav Krasnov (Washington DC, USA)
On August 12 the Center for
International Information and
the American Corner, Perm
Kray A.M.Gorky Library
hosted a meeting on a public
diplomacy with Dr. Vladislav
Krasnov, a devoted keeper of
Russian tradition on the
American continent.
Dr. Vladislav Krasnov is an American
scholar and social
activist, Ph.D., author of multiple
publications, also known as W.
George Krasnow, the Head of the
Society of Russian-American
friendship "Good Will“, Washington
DC, founded in 1992. (www.raga.org).

28. Events with Alumni and Volunteers
Recent event: Thanksgiving
Traditions and E-Cards
Contest with our American
volunteers and alumni
(November 2011).

29. “Singing Winter” Festival 2012
On January 6, 2012 different patrons
of the American Corner, and those
interested in English language and
American culture gathered at the
Perm Krai Gorky Library to celebrate
winter holidays. The Annual Music
Contest "Singing Winter" has long
served as our brand fest, so we kept
the tradition launched by previous AC
coordinators and did our best to meet
our patrons’ expectations. Several
schools and one higher institutions
Our video report might be found
wished to perform in 2012.
at the YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/user/AmCornerPerm

30. Working with the FLEX
& Other Programs’ Alumni
Olga Podoplelova, the former assistant at the AC in Perm
(January 2011 - September 2011) also acted as a city rep
for the FLEX Programs Alumni.
In June she initiated an alumni meeting dedicated to team
building, volunteering and social service.
Usually alumni activity in Perm outreaches for the
Orphanage #1 – organizing holidays connected with
American culture and English language.

31. Honorable Lecturers and Guests
by the US Consulate General in Yekaterinburg
Mr. David Strashnoy, Vice Consul at the US Consulate General in
Yekaterinburg - donating literature for the Library and providing lectures
for AC patrons in Perm falls 2010-winter 2011).

32. Educational Programs’ Lecturers
In spring 2011 the
Fulbright Program
Lecturer Angelina
Lucento came to
speak of Russain-
American Art links of
the 20-30-ies of the
XX century

33. Award Winning Associated Press Photographer’s
Lecture and Exhibition
Award Winning Associated
Press Photographer Ronald
Williams in Perm
The visit of Mr. Ronal Williams to Perm
became possible due to the support of
the Consulate General of the United
States, Yekaterinburg. Mr. Williams
unveiled some secrets of his art for the
users of the Library, amateur
photographers and future journalists. As
a conclusion Mr. Williams kindly
presented the American Corner the
album of his works “Tampa on My
Mind”, a place his family used to live
together. The Center for International
Information was granted a short-time
exhibition of his works, with an open
access to all the Library users

34. Watching and Discussing the "Objects and Memory” Film
A Joint Project with the US Department of State
and US Consulate General in Yekaterinburg
9, 11 September – the open The event became The film attracted the
run and discussion of the possible due to kind audience of students and
documentary film “Objects assistance by the US teaching staff from the
and Memory” (by Jonathan Consulate General in departments of
Fein and Brian Yekaterinburg and history, linguistics, politi
Danitz), remembering the contribution by the US cal
tragic events of 9/11/2001 - Department of State science, sociology, philos
took place at the American (Washington, USA). ophy and arts of
Corner in Perm and Cinema different higher
Theater Premier. institutions in Perm.

35. Lecturers by the US Consulate in Yekaterinburg:
The meeting with Consul
Consul General in Yekaterinburg Mr. Michael Reinert, General in Yekaterinburg
«Latest Issues in US-Russian Relations» Mr. Michael Reinert
attracted one of the biggest
crowds, occupying the
whole of the Center for
International Information.
Mr.Reinert showed great
communication skills at
addressing multiple of
questions from AC
patrons, Library users and
guests. The meeting was
also attended by our
American volunteers and
comers from Europe, Africa
and South America.

36. Lecturers by the US Consulate in Yekaterinburg:
Aliza Sherman, “Crowdsourcing
for the Better City”
On October 17 Ms. Aliza Sherman
- a famous e-media
entrepreneur, author, women's
issues activist, and international
speaker paid a visit to the
American Corner and Regional
Library audience in Perm. Her
presentation “Crowdsourcing for
the Better City” evoked sincere
interest and questions among the
young audience – in search of
technologies acquiring a more
appealing and faster message.

37. Lecturers by the US Consulate in Yekaterinburg:
Ms Zsofia Budai, Deputy Press Attache of the US Embassy
in Moscow, «Journalism in the Age of New Media»
Ms Budai started the meeting with awarding the winners of
the Photo Contest «Америка, которая рядом». Young talents
got their prizes and were photographed with Sofia
afterwards. Zsofia also announced a new competition for
those who enjoy hip-hop dancing style and want to show
their talents.
Zsofia’s presentation of the problem of modern
journalism was primarily devoted to Social Media and
its role both in journalism and in common life. Zsofia
Budai pointed out that first of all Social Media is a good
way for conversation and interaction between people
online. Ms Zsofia Budai also presented an image of
modern journalist.

38. Amount
When Figures Speak of Patrons’ Visits,
May 2011 – May 2012
Year/Month Amount of Events Amount of Patrons’ Visits
2011
May 9 127
June 5 57
July 7 549
August 6 93
September 7 166
October 9 241
November 8 144
December 8 108
59 1485
2012
January 5 137
February 7 210
March 8 246
April 7 261
May 5 138
32 992
Total 91 2477
May2011-May2012

39. Weekly Discussion Clubs
at the American Corner in Perm
Monday 6pm – 7:30pm - «the USA: the Country & People» by
Brad Horne, Dave Sechrist, Janet Holloway (Every 1st & 3rd
Monday of month).
Monday 6pm – 7:30pm - «The Book Club», AC tandem with
Elizabeth Williams (Every 2nd & 4th Monday of month).
Thursday 6pm – 7:30pm - «The News Club», AC tandem with
Robert Bates;
Thursday 6pm – 7:30pm - «The History of American
Music», AC presentations feat. Robert Bates (June-July-
August-September-October-November-December 2011);

40. American Corner in Perm
Working Schedule
Monday 11am – 8pm
Tuesday 11am – 7.30pm
Wednesday 11am – 7.30pm
Thursday 11am – 8pm
Friday 11am – 7.30pm
Saturday Sorry, we are closed
Sunday Noon - 4pm

41. Drop Us a Line!
Andrei Khokhryakov,
Deputy Head for Public Relations
(Perm Kray A.M.Gorky Library),
American Corner Coordinator
gorkilib@mail.ru
Yekaterina Sitnikova,
American Corner Deputy Coordinator
acperm@lib.permregion.ru
Julia Gabidullina,
American Corner Deputy Coordinator
acperm@lib.permregion.ru

42. American Corner in Perm
Пермская государственная
универсальная
краевая библиотека им. А.М.Горького
614990, г. Пермь, ул. Ленина, 70
2 этаж (левое крыло)
Центр международной информации
Наш телефон: (342) 238 35 37
E-mail: acperm@lib.permregion.ru
www.amcorners.ru
vkontakte.ru/amcornerperm
twitter.com/AmCornerPerm
facebook.com/pages/American-Corner-in-
Perm/203754546332618