NDL is pleased to offer a monthly virtual Author Talk series that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home. All author talks are held online and registration is required through the Library Speakers Consortium (LSC)to receive the watch link. During the registration process, you'll be invited to submit questions that will be posed to the author.

Register here: https://libraryc.org/northvillelibrary/57576

Join us in kicking off October as we welcome three Smithsonian-affiliated scientists to teach us about the remarkable world of tropical bats!

For decades, scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have studied the remarkable biodiversity of bats on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, where an astonishing seventy-six species coexist. Now, for the first time, Smithsonian scientists’ expertise pairs with the stunning photography of National Geographic contributor Christian Ziegler for a captivating visual journey into the fascinating world of these elusive night creatures, to bring you the book Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats.

Bats are unique among mammals: they have acquired true flight, they provide essential ecosystem services, and represent the ecologically most diverse group of mammals worldwide. Synthesizing decades-worth of intensive study, Drs. Rachel Page, Dina Dechmann, Teague O’Mara, and Marco Tschapka provide authoritative insight alongside 150 photographs that showcase bats’ extraordinary environmental adaptations and rich natural history.

This presentation will cover topics from the book, such as the diverse sensory abilities of bats, their foraging strategies, roosting ecologies, and social systems. Bat Island presents decades of study of the hyper diverse bat population on Barro Colorado Island in addition to the most comprehensive and long-term datasets on tropical bats. The book and this presentation highlights how bats are threatened by habitat fragmentation and land degradation, and communicate the initiatives needed to ensure the survival of these animals, which are critical to maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems.

And let’s not forget, the award-winning photojournalist Christian Ziegler’s photography as the images within the book illuminate the unique beauty and allure of bats and the tropical rainforest in Panama. Register now for this rare look into Bat Island!

 What is the Library Speakers Consortium?

LSC hosts 2-3 online bestselling-author events per month. These are live events with interactive Q&A sessions that are also recorded. Books and authors selected will cover a wide range of diverse fiction and non-fiction genres including historical fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, OwnVoices, poetry, business, personal growth, social justice, history, art, culture, and more.