BIC: Would you tell us a bit about your program?
Sarah: The Community Read was started in March 2003 as a way to celebrate the Community Foundation’s ten-year anniversary, bring attention to the fact that illiteracy is an issue in Findlay and Hancock County and help promote the Hancock READS endowment fund. Local residents were asked to read and discuss a book and its related themes with friends and family during March of each year.
In each case, the author or a high-profile individual related to the book or the movie was brought to Findlay to address the community in a feature event and meet with students and community members in other settings.
BIC: What did you learn from last year’s program that is helping you this year; what are you changing, what worked well?
Sarah: This is our first year hosting the event but we were fortunate to be able to draw on the experiences and expertise of the Community Foundation staff and their committee of community members. One thing that was very important to the library was that we structure Community READ 2013 in a manner that would allow for greater community input and impact. Three committees have been formed to coordinate the program.
- A Staff Community READ Committee. This committee sought suggestions for potential Community READ titles from library staff and patrons, community members and professional resources. After much reading and discussion, they narrowed the options to a short list of three possibilities.
- A Community based READ Committee, comprised of ten community members, was also formed and chaired by myself. This committee was tasked with reading the options proposed by the Staff Community READ Committee, and ranking them in their order of preference. After the title/author for was selected, we were also encouraged to suggest titles for the 2014 short list, and will be invited to assist at the author event. The Library has worked to select a committee that represents a wide segment of the community, including four members of the previous selection Committee.
- A Youth Committee, comprised of ten community members, was formed. This committee selected youth titles to coordinate with the adult selection. They also plan all youth related activities.
BIC: What advice can you share with others just launching a community reads program, or for those who are considering it?
Sarah: Community support is key. In addition to the Community Foundation’s grant, we also receive financial support from two other businesses. The University has donated the space for our event and the local Women’s Leadership Forum is hosting a luncheon with the author.
