What is the One Book,
One Community Project?

Lee County Library System spearheads this project and invites participation from businesses, schools, associations and individuals throughout the county to plan activities that become an integral part of this community reading project.

GOALS OF ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY: LEE COUNTY READS

* To foster a sense of community through reading and stimulating discussion of a common book and enhance the reading experience with related cultural, educational and recreational program components

* To offer innovative programs and partnerships that will attract new library users by making them aware of the contemporary role libraries play in the community

THE HISTORY OF ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY

From the American Library Association’s Community Read Planning Guide: “Since 1998, when the Washington Center for the Book hosted author Russell Banks for four days of programs and discussion about his novel, The Sweet Hereafter, communities all over the United States have increasingly embraced the notion of civic unity through the reading of literature.”

See other communities’ successful projects at http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/one-book.html

Lee County Library System launched its inaugural One Book, One Community: Lee County Reads project in 2004-2005 with Patrick D. Smith's "A Land Remembered."  To see details of the first project, click here.

Lee County Library System launched its second One Book, One Community: Lee County Reads project in 2006 with Nelle Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."  To see details of the second project, click here.

Lee County Library System launched its third One Book, One Community: Lee County Reads project in 2006 with Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner." To see details of the third project, click here.