CAMLS is delighted to have coordinated the inaugural year of the area-wide North Coast Neighbors Share a Book program. Area libraries, civic groups, government and schools have committed time and resources to this program which promotes community reading and discussion of Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Thanks to the many contributions of the twenty-five member steering committee, we are pleased to highlight the following features of this program:
Over 1,200 letters to major businesses, educational institutions, and bookstores were mailed with the intent to open communication, stimulate interest and request support in spreading information about North Coast Neighbors to our community's educators, civic leaders, philanthropists and corporate executives. In addition, sample letters, press releases and form letters are available to download from our website in order for libraries to contact business and groups in their communities. It is the intent of the program that discussions will arise in all types of forums, both formal and informal, among neighbors, co-workers, at coffee shops or even in grocery lines. To help facilitate discussion, lapel pins have been produced with the "Share a Book" logo so that readers can identify each other and spark spontaneous conversation.
Posters and bookmarks have also been produced, along with a discussion guide that includes timelines of events that were happening locally and nationally during the Civil Rights Movement, resources for understanding the novel, teaching guides, and personal reflections from prominent citizens. all publicity items are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact CAMLS for more information.
CAMLS has reached an agreement with the Great Lakes Theater Festival to be a part of North Coast Neighbors. GLTFÂ has developed a 90-minute educational, interactive workshop based on To Kill a Mockingbird, that they will perform at any location for a charge of $250. The Theater department at Baldwin Wallace College is also willing to come to libraries and perform scenes from the play free of charge to libraries. For booking information, along with a list of humanities scholars available for speaking engagements, visit the "To Kill a Mockingbird" section of the CAMLS online Program Bank.
The Cuyahoga County Public Library has graciously arranged for public performance rights for area libraries that plan to showcase the film To Kill a Mockingbird during February, March, and April. Contact for more information .
For additional information and many of the resources that will aid your participation in this program, visit our Website: http://camls.org/shareabook.html, where you will find features such as an online discussion forum; complete schedule of programs and events that tie in with the program; curriculum ideas for educators; publicity materials to download and customize; resources for book discussion groups; and programming ideas.
We hope you will join us in celebrating community, reading, and dialogue by participating in this special program.
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