In January through April, everyone in the entire North Coast area, from Sandusky to Akron to Ashtabula, is encouraged to read the same book. Under the coordination of CAMLS, the program is called "North Coast Neighbors Share a Book." As the snow flies, curl up with a copy of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Even if you have read it before, take the time to read it again.
Libraries in this entire area would like for you to not only read the book, but talk about it, with your friends, in your book club, at your place of business, in your place of worship, with others in the grocery line, with people older and younger than you and with others not of your race or ethnicity. Lapel pins will be provided that will identify others who have read the book and are willing to discuss the issues brought up in it, issues of social justice, civil rights, legal ethics, and relationships between parents and children.
You, your company, or your organization are invited to partner with libraries by encouraging and helping your employees, students, members, or interested parties to take part in the reading and discussion that will be going on all over the North Coast area. You can participate at any level that is comfortable for you.
You can buy copies of the book for everyone to read and/or provide time for discussion. You can purchase pins that will identify those who have participated. You can advertise the program in your newsletter, from your pulpit, or in your mailings. You can hold a formal program of your own choosing or using the suggestions given on the Share a Book web site, camls.org/shareabook.html.
There will be events such as theatre performances, film screenings, essay contests, and lectures that tie-in with the book and its themes. You may do as much or as little as you want, or do something of your own planning. Just share it with CAMLS so that it can be put on the master calendar of events.
If you are interested, or if you have questions, please contact CAMLS at 216-291-3900 or through the web site. This program needs the participation of everyone to be successful. Please plan to be part of a truly worthwhile series of events. Talking together about the themes of this book will stimulate critical thinking, inspire reflection, spark important conversation, and build community at this challenging time in history.
CAMLS is the Cleveland Area Metropolitan Library System, a consortium consisting of over 70 libraries in Northern Ohio.
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