The Statesboro Regional Library’s first “One Book, One Community” program was so popular with the community, the library plans to do it again.
Earlier this year, the program featured the book “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Several related activities over three days in January drew more than 1,500 participants.
“Schools, families and individuals enthusiastically participated,” said Ceil Hardin, president of Friends of the Library. “From the feedback we received, it was evident that we needed to repeat the program. The two most frequent comments we got were‘When is the next one?’ and ‘What is the next book?’ “
The questions presented Hardin, the Friends Board and Library staff with a giant dilemma – out of the millions of books that exist, how do you decide which one to pick next?
So, Hardin put together a committee of Friends members, business people and a representative from the Bulloch County School System to come up with a book. This group studied what other communities selected, read reviews and brainstormed. Through the process, an idea evolved, Hardin said. If the committee could narrow the choice down to a short list of titles, why not let the community make the final decision?
The planning committee selected five titles and is now asking the community to vote on the next title to be used for the community-wide reading event.
Titles for the community to choose from are:
- The Great Gatsby – by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Maltese Falcon – by Dashiell Hammett
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – by Mark Haddon
-The Greatest Generation – by Tom Brokaw
- Fahrenheit 451 – by Ray Bradbury
“Coming up with a short list to present to the public was tough,” said Cora Fay, assistant library director. “It would be ideal if everyone could submit a favorite title with a write-in vote; but, that is just not practical. We have to be sure that we can support the title, both with activities and financially. Those plans have to be made up front.”
Community residents are asked to vote on titles now through Sept. 15.
Participants should vote one time for one title. Ballots are available in the newspaper, on the library’s website and at the Statesboro Regional Library. When all the ballots are counted, the title for the 2009 One Book One Community Program will be announced, along with plans and dates for the event.
Earlier this year, the program featured the book “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Several related activities over three days in January drew more than 1,500 participants.
“Schools, families and individuals enthusiastically participated,” said Ceil Hardin, president of Friends of the Library. “From the feedback we received, it was evident that we needed to repeat the program. The two most frequent comments we got were‘When is the next one?’ and ‘What is the next book?’ “
The questions presented Hardin, the Friends Board and Library staff with a giant dilemma – out of the millions of books that exist, how do you decide which one to pick next?
So, Hardin put together a committee of Friends members, business people and a representative from the Bulloch County School System to come up with a book. This group studied what other communities selected, read reviews and brainstormed. Through the process, an idea evolved, Hardin said. If the committee could narrow the choice down to a short list of titles, why not let the community make the final decision?
The planning committee selected five titles and is now asking the community to vote on the next title to be used for the community-wide reading event.
Titles for the community to choose from are:
- The Great Gatsby – by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Maltese Falcon – by Dashiell Hammett
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – by Mark Haddon
-The Greatest Generation – by Tom Brokaw
- Fahrenheit 451 – by Ray Bradbury
“Coming up with a short list to present to the public was tough,” said Cora Fay, assistant library director. “It would be ideal if everyone could submit a favorite title with a write-in vote; but, that is just not practical. We have to be sure that we can support the title, both with activities and financially. Those plans have to be made up front.”
Community residents are asked to vote on titles now through Sept. 15.
Participants should vote one time for one title. Ballots are available in the newspaper, on the library’s website and at the Statesboro Regional Library. When all the ballots are counted, the title for the 2009 One Book One Community Program will be announced, along with plans and dates for the event.