Evansville's great idea
My friend and fellow reporter, Gina Duwe, passed info my way about the One Book, One Town program at Evansville's Eager Free Public Library. The library is collecting suggestions for one book the entire community can read together. A committee will narrow the list to 10 finalists, and then people can vote on which book the city will read.
After everyone reads the book, the library will schedule discussions. I know other communities, such as Chicago, have done this. Seems like a great way to promote reading and community.
This is the second year for Evansville's event. Last year, the community read "Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time" by Wisconsin author Michael Perry. Director Kathi Kemp estimates about 200 people participated.
Technically, the deadline for suggesting a book was March 15, but Kathi said the library will still take suggestions this week. (The library's phone number is 882-2260.) Next week, it will announce the 10 finalists.
What a fabulous idea! I wonder what it would take to get something like this started in Janesville...
P.S. In my last blog entry, I discussed great places to read. Check out this article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Apparently Milwaukee's Central Library was named by USA Today as one of the top 10 places to read a book. The article lists some other suggestions too.
Mar 20, 2008 at 6:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
In Appleton and Stevens Point they also have one book, one town (they have a different name for it). I participated in one so far. It was nice. They hosted a group discussion in the children's area for moms of young children. It was interesting to meet new people and have a common topic to discuss.
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