Noted author and cultural historian to speak at Batavia library Nov. 12

Nicholas A. Basbanes, noted Massachusetts author and cultural historian, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.

Basbanes' presentation, "Pondering Paper - 2,000 Years Young" will highlight how paper has influenced and revolutionized civilization since its invention during the Han Dynasty in China (206 BC-220 AD).

Think about this: paper is touched every day; it has thousands of uses - stationery, magazines, books, blueprints, toilet paper, shopping bags, wrapping paper, mailing tubes, cereal boxes, origami, etc. Even if all books, magazines, and newspapers were digitized, the need for paper would continue.

Basbanes will share interesting stories about paper, such as the National Security Agency's secret documents being pulped by cryptologists and recycled into pizza boxes, and the paper mill that has been the exclusive supplier of paper for American currency since 1879.

Known for writing books about books and book culture, Basbanes has written articles for The New York Times, Washington Post, and Smithsonian, and a column for Fine Books & Collections magazine. His latest book, "On Paper: The Everything of Its Two-Thousand-Year History," was a finalist for the 2014 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. He has written eight other books, including "Every Book Its Reader" (books that have shaped our culture), and "A Gentle Madness" (the passion and expense of book collecting). He is also an award-winning investigative reporter.

"Pondering Paper" is the 28th program in the library's New Lyceum Lecture Series and is sponsored by the Batavia Public Library Foundation. Registration is required. Register online at BataviaPublicLibrary.org or call the library reference desk, (630) 879-1393, ext. 200.