The World as I See It is bringing thought-provoking speakers to Bowling Green this spring and summer. “The purpose of this series is to feature individuals who work for the common good, and challenge us to be better world citizens,” says Lisa Rice, director of the Warren County Public Library. “Speakers were chosen for their contributions to humanitarian, environmental, and charitable causes.”

 Nick Clooney kicks off the series on Thursday, May 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the Warren County Public Library with “Journey to Darfur: Beyond the Documentary.” Journalist Clooney and his son, actor George Clooney, risked their lives to film the documentary Journey to Darfur in 2006, hoping to bring attention to the situation in this region of Sudan. Since the beginning of the violent struggle between the region’s black Africans and Arab Muslims in 2003, 300,000 people have died and more than 2 million have been driven from their homes. Nick Clooney has become an outspoken advocate for finding a solution to this continuing humanitarian crisis.

   Next in the series, NPR contributor and adventure journalist Doug Fine will share his experiences figuring out how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle in 21^st century America. His book Farewell, My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living describes his attempts to grow his own food, tap the energy of the sun and use restaurant grease to power his vehicle. Despite near electrocution from his solar panels and coyote attacks on his chickens, he successfully reduced his dependence on gas and electricity at the Funky Butte Ranch without sacrificing modern conveniences. Don’t try this at home! Or should you? Find out at “Adventures as a Novice Environmentalist” at the Warren County Public Library on Thursday, June 11, at 6:00 p.m.

  In July, international photojournalist Linda Schaefer will continue the series with the “World of Mother Teresa.” Her career has taken her around the world to photograph a remote Amazonian tribe, NYPD crime scenes, the lost children of Rio de Janeiro, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. family. But like so many others, Schaefer found particular inspiration in the work of Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India. Although Mother Teresa was initially skeptical of Schaefer’s request to document the work, her persistence and dedication earned Mother Teresa’s confidence and resulted in the book Come and See: a Photojournalist’s Journey into the World of Mother Teresa. Join Ms. Schaefer at the Warren County Public Library at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23.

  The series finale brings us a visit from Vern Yip, host of HGTV’s Deserving Design, at the Kentucky Library and Museum on Thursday, August 20, at 6:00 p.m. Yip, formerly a designer on the popular show Trading Spaces, now creates fabulous home interiors for people who have striven to make the world a better place for others. A cancer survivor who researches cures for cancer and HIV, a woman who rescues abused and abandoned horses, and the parent of a special needs child who volunteers as a Special Olympics coach are all recent recipients of Yip’s design skills.

 All events are free and open to the public. The Nick Clooney and Vern Yip programs require tickets that will be available at the Main Library and the Bob Kirby Branch.

    Holly Hedden is a reference librarian at the Warren County Public Library.